A Syrian refugee who fled his war-torn city has established a new career as a barber with the help of a care home in Wantage.  

Reda Almughrabi has carried out a placement at Elmbrook Court on Grove Road, where he has given haircuts, beard trims and eyebrow tidy-ups to the male residents every week for the last two months. 

The 32-year-old, who fled Damascus in 2013 after two years of war devastated the capital city, said: “I’m very grateful to everyone at Elmbrook Court. 

READ MORE: Syrian refugee starts work at barber shop in Oxford

“They have helped me to finish my training.  I was a tailor in Syria but there aren’t many of those jobs in England so I had to learn a new trade.   

“I have to learn the language and the culture, which is difficult. 

"The way people do things in England is very different to at home. The men at Elmbrook ask for their eyebrows to be trimmed, we wouldn’t do that in Syria.” 

Oxford Mail: Reda Almughrabi has given haircuts, beard trims and eyebrow tidy-ups to the male residents of

Oxford Mail: Reda Almughrabi has given haircuts, beard trims and eyebrow tidy-ups to the male residents of

After he left Syria, Mr Almughrabi travelled to Egypt under a United Nations scheme.

He lived there with his wife for several years before they arrived in the UK in January 2022 and settled in Grove.  

Mr Almughrabi developed his English as a volunteer at the community larder with Sustainable Wantage.  

The organisation also helped him find a placement at the care home to complete the required hours to qualify as a barber.  

Since May, Mr Almughrabi has trained in the home’s hair salon every week. 

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“It’s fantastic that the residents and staff at Elmbrook were happy to offer Reda a placement,” said Jo Harvey from Sustainable Wantage. 

“As soon as we got in touch with the home, they said, 'yes'. Reda has put a lot of effort into his language skills and his new trade, and we’re delighted he’s now qualified and able to start his career.” 

Alison Andrews, lifestyles manager at Elmbrook Court, said: “We support our local community both inside and outside the home. 

Oxford Mail: Reda Almughrabi has given haircuts, beard trims and eyebrow tidy-ups to the male residents of

Oxford Mail: Reda Almughrabi has given haircuts, beard trims and eyebrow tidy-ups to the male residents of

“It’s been great for our gentlemen to have a traditional barber service and it makes them very happy to know they’re helping a young man build a future here.”  

Michael, a resident at the home, agreed. 

“The barber makes me feel much more like myself,” he said. 

Mr Almughrabi hopes to eventually able to bring his parents and younger sister over to live with him. “Life in Damascus is very hard,” he said. 

“There is no electricity, no water and they find it hard to get food.  I want them to be able to come here and be safe.” 

Mr Almughrabi is now looking for other venues in the area to offer his barber skills to.

He wants to build a business while at the same time keep Elmbrook Court residents well-groomed.