Every Friday at Academy HQ, tucked away in a quiet room filled with colour, compassion and community spirit, a small team of volunteers offer something far more powerful than wigs and scarves, they offer hope.
The Wig and Scarf Room, run by Linda Yarwood along with her dedicated volunteers, is a lifeline for people who’ve lost their hair due to cancer or other medical conditions. For the past three years, the team has been offering free wigs, scarves, turbans and hats, along with a warm welcome and a listening ear.
Linda’s passion for helping others comes from deeply personal experience. “I’ve had cancer and lost my hair myself,” she says. “We started out volunteering for Cancer Warriors in Stalybridge. It was me and my friend Sarah Horton. Sadly, Sarah is no longer with us, but we began with a little room upstairs there, just doing it out of curiosity and compassion. It did really well. So, when Cancer Warriors closed, we looked for a new home, and that’s how we ended up here.”
More than just a place to pick up headwear, the Wig and Scarf Room is a place of empathy. “People visit us sometimes just for a chat or for advice,” Linda says. “Because we’ve been there, we know what it’s like to lose your hair. We understand, and that makes a big difference.”
The room is stocked with wigs of all styles and ages, many donated by individuals who’ve completed treatment and no longer need them. “People often find wigs uncomfortable, especially in warm weather,” Linda explains. “So, if they have one they’re not using, they bring it to us. We wash them, prepare them and make them available for someone else. We also buy wigs to make sure we’ve got a good selection.”
Most importantly, everything is free. “When I chose my own wig from Christie’s, it was expensive, and the selection was limited. We want to make it easier for people. Here, they can try things on in their own time, take them home, and if it’s not right, bring it back and try another.”
While they never charge for the wigs and scarves, donations are gratefully accepted to help fund the purchase of new wigs and supplies.
The Wig and Scarf Room is open every Friday at Academy HQ. For more information or to donate, drop in or contact the team through Academy HQ.
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