News

NEW MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING INTRODUCED

With poor mental health affecting more people than ever, Good Salon Guide are running courses training barbers to become Mental Health First Aiders (MFHA). The courses have proved hugely successful, with those taking part discovering simple ways to help support the mental health of colleagues, friends, family and, most of all, themselves.

From looking at how to cope with anxiety and depression to learning how to support those with bipolar disorder and psychosis, all areas of mental health are covered. Amanda Kostelnik, a barber working at Sir & Co barbers in Aldeburgh, successfully completed the course and has already been able to put into practise much of what she learnt. She said: “the course was one of the best things I have ever done. As barbers we listen and hear so much so it’s vital for us to take care of our own mental wellbeing and be able to spot the signs that someone else may be in need.”

If you are interested in signing up for the Good Salon Guide’s next MHFA course, visit www.goodsalonguide.com/latest/mental-health-first-aid-online-course

BRITISH MASTER BARBERS SELECTS OFFICIAL BOOKING PARTNER

The British Master Barbers Alliance and Booksy UK have signed an official and exclusive partnership. The partnership will see the two organisations join forces to bring the barber industry special educational content, exclusive tutorials, tips and tricks from Booksy ambassadors, and more over the next year, and beyond. Tony Copeland co-founder of The British Master Barbers Alliance says: ‘collaborating with game-changing and forward-thinking companies is in our DNA, that’s why our association with Booksy is both exciting and so on-brand for us and our community. We have been working with the team behind the scenes for many years. But this will be our official partnership.”

SLIDERCUTS UPDATES SHAPING UP CULTURE BOOK

Mark Maciver, aka Slidercuts, has recently updated his book Shaping Up Culture to include covid-19 recovery tips and ways to find opportunities in hardship. As we all know the hair industry has taken a huge hit over the pandemic, but the impact on community-focused black barbershops has been profound. Mark’s book includes interesting insights on the future of the industry and he shares advice on creating a thriving business. The barber has also been working with charity UK Youth and his publisher Knights Of have broadened the impact of his book to deliver on-the-ground support for young black businesses, awarding five young people with a £1k grant each, as well as 1-2-1 mentoring.

DON’T MISS THE COLLECTIVE PRIDE AWARDS

Don’t forget entries to the Collective Pride Awards close on 15 November. Designed to recognise the unsung heroes in the professional hair, beauty and barbering arena, here’s a recap of the categories…

Four of the eight Collective Pride Awards are open to all UK hair salons, barbershops, beauty salons and nail studios. These four award categories require entries from either salon teams or individuals (including freelancers) or external third-party nominators.

BEYOND BUSINESS AWARD

For a salon, barbershop, nail spa or beauty business at the hub of the community which goes beyond the line of duty.

MORE THAN… AWARD (NOMINATED BY SELF, A CLIENT OR A COLLEAGUE)

Our industry is filled with professionals who give outstanding service, make people look great and feel even better. If you have forged an extraspecial relationship with a client in their time of need – we need to know about it.

AGAINST THE ODDS AWARD (NOMINATED BY A CLIENT OR A COLLEAGUE)

Do you know a star in the making, a youngster in the early stages of their job, determined to make a success of their career despite huge challenges? We want to hear about the special individual who, in the face of hardship or difficulties, has the resolve, the guts, to give 100 per cent to their job in order to succeed.

MY SAVIOUR AWARD (NOMINATED BY A CLIENT OR A COLLEAGUE)

External third parties (client or colleague) will nominate this person, someone they see as their true saviour. An award for someone who gave way more than expected, with ongoing care, compassion and kindness at a time when it was most needed.

Enter via: www.collectiveprideawards.co.uk

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS

There are also four Special Recognition Awards for exceptional individuals demonstrating outstanding support to the charity. These awards cannot be entered; recipients are identified by the Lions Barber Collective committee and board of trustees.

• Lifetime Achievement

• Exceptional Educator

• Exceptional College

• The Sam Wall Unsung Hero

PROJECT: MEN ASSEMBLES!

After a year of zoom calls and online mentoring, the PROJECT: Men team were treated to a live, face-to-face education session with London barber Matt Gavin. Matt, who is senior stylist at Manifesto, held a practical creative session for the team, delving into different ways to think about men’s hair and ways to be creative.

“I wanted to open their minds to a different way of thinking and change how they approached a haircut. It’s not just about doing a cut, but being able to manipulate it and change it into something more editorial as well,” he explained.