Hairdresser of 25 years becomes NHS key worker as Covid lockdown closes North Leeds salon

Sue Carter has gone from wearing PPE as a hairdresser to packing and delivering it to hospitals, vaccination sites and health centres (photos: Sue Carter)

Sue Carter opened her Alwoodley salon - HQ Hair - in 2018, but was forced to close her doors for the third time in January this year when the national lockdown hit.

The hairdresser has been performing her craft for over 25 years, but decided that whilst she couldn't continue her hairdressing work during the coronavirus crisis, she instead wanted to help the people of Leeds a different way.

Sue has become a stores keeper and driver for the NHS Supplies Department, and now spends her days picking and packing PPE orders and then taking them directly to Leeds hospitals, health centres, and vaccination sites.

Sue Carter is now a stores keeper and driver for the NHS Supplies department

Sue said: “After seeing first-hand what is happening in our hospitals, I know closing the salon is the right decision.

"I heard about the job through my husband, who also works in logistics for the NHS and I wanted to do something that would help the situation for the city and the people of Leeds.

"I felt becoming a key worker would allow me to do just that, while also giving my time to the NHS and helping such a great cause.

"We do a run each morning and another in the afternoon and I’m responsible for making sure the right packages go into the wards where they are needed most.

"It’s extremely busy, and while I’m used to standing long hours every day in the salon, this has certainly increased my steps and fitness levels!”

The NHS provided Sue with health and safety training to prepare her for the role, and she has to be ready to pack completely different orders to take from one site to the next each day.

Sue added: "I feel so grateful for this opportunity.

"I had never done anything like it before, and as well as contributing to the Covid effort, I’m enjoying the role – all the people I am meeting on the wards and the amazing team I’m working with have made me feel so welcome.

"It has made me appreciate everything the NHS does for our community and knowing I’m helping the staff in protecting the patients safely makes me feel incredibly special.”

Sue said that when she was able to reopen her hair salon last July, she had hundreds of customers on her waitlist for her new Beauty Bar, and was working seven days a week to meet demand.

Now, she plans on reopening her salon as soon as restrictions allow and said that she 'can't wait to be back making customers look and feel their best'.

Sue added: "I think Covid has made people realise how great it feels to be social and I know for many customers they have missed having the ability to pop and in and see us.

“I had planned to expand the team at HQ Hair this year, so it will be great to have the opportunity to do so when it’s safe.

"As a full-service hair specialist, also with a beauty treatment facility, I know there will be many customers excited for us to open so they can prepare for those special occasions that many have had to postpone.

"I can't wait to be back making my customers look and feel their best."