Ambassador Project in the news

An innovative project that trains barbers, stylists, tattooists and nailbar technicians to support the mental wellbeing of their customers has featured in the Spring edition of the Bexley Magazine.

Mind in Bexley’s Ambassador Project expanded out of the Bexley Barbershop Project which trained staff to spot signs of anxiety and depression in customers, be empathetic listeners and able to direct those in need onto extra support.

Now Bexley Magazine has featured the project in its health and wellbeing for the Spring edition which you can check out here: www.bexley.gov.uk/bexley-magazine-spring/health-and-wellbeing 

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.

The project originally started following research that revealed men are statistically more likely to discuss mental health issues with their barber than with their GP. This places barbers in a unique position to be able to help men battle anxiety and depression.

Following the success of the pilot Mind in Bexley has identified 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.

More than 40 Ambassdaors have been signed up through the project so far, but more are welcome. To find out or sign up view this page: www.mindinbexley.org.uk/ambassadorproject or email ambassador@mindinbexley.org.uk