Ambassador project hits 50!

More than 50 stylists, barbers and tattooists and nailbar technicians have signed up to be part of Mind in Bexley’s Wellbeing Ambassador initiative. The latest organisation to get involved is Salon 108 in Bexleyheath.

Funded by Bexley Council’s Public Health Team, the project has successfully been working with a small group of barbers as part of a pilot initiative supporting men. Now the project is being expanded to support both men and women and to a wider range of commercial settings.

Following the success of the pilot, Mind in Bexley has identified barbershops, hair salons, nailbars and tattoo parlours as locations where individuals also tend to be loyal patrons and the relationship between a staff member and customer can assist with wellbeing.

All these commercial settings have a high follow-up rate with clients providing opportunities to spot changes in mood or extremes such as too much sleep or not enough sleep, losing weight or gaining weight.

The project’s training helps staff to recognise these signs and to ask clients how they are feeling, be a good listener and be briefed where to encourage customers to go for help.

Clients identified as in need are given an information leaflet with details of Mind in Bexley support plus other providers.

To find out more or to sign-up to the initiative visit: www.mindinbexley.org.uk/ambassadorproject