Menu
Breaking Down Barriers with Tom Chapman
Tom Chapman wanted to share a story very close to his heart. With over 6,000 suicides registered within the UK in the past year, the highest suicide rate was for men aged 40-44. In the Republic of Ireland, the highest rate affects men aged 25-34. The Lions Collective, a Charity started by Tom, aims to raise awareness of the growing issue; here he explains why.
Three years ago, I lost an old friend to suicide. So many people attended the funeral that they couldn't get everyone through the crematorium doors - some friends had to wait outside to pay their respects. This gesture of love made me realise that, despite all of the people in attendance, my friend must have still felt completely alone, unable to talk to anyone about his problems.
This harrowing experience affects thousands of UK families a year and is ultimately what led me to form the Lions Barber Collective: a charity that raises awareness for and helps men around the world suffering with mental illness that may otherwise suffer in complete silence.
With the help of a dedicated team of incredible barbers and the support of passionate brands such as The Bluebeards Revenge, we want to make barbershops the number one hangout spot for men in the UK; a place where they can share their problems with like-minded people in a non-clinical and non-judgemental environment. As a result, the Lions Barber Collective has saved 11 men (that we know of) from making a decision that cannot be undone.
Our work is crucial, especially as the mental health epidemic is not showing any signs of slowing down. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 45 and, in 2014, 76 percent of all suicide victims in the UK were male.
For World Suicide Prevention Day, we commissioned a survey with men's grooming brand The Bluebeards Revenge, and discovered that a staggering 58 percent of UK men still don't feel like they can open up about their mental health issues. This important research also proved that men are much more stressed today than they were 10 years ago: a staggering 62 percent of those aged 35-or-over said they felt greater pressure in 2017 than they did back in 2007.
As a barber, I am able to have a uniquely close relationship with my clients: they trust me to make them look and feel amazing and I touch intimate areas such as their heads, ears – even their faces. Add to that the fact that I am often outside of their social circles, and a sense of trust and confidentiality is quickly established.
This trust has seen many of my clients open up to me to share their stresses and worries. Often mentioned are problems with work, money, health and more recently an over-exposure to social media. In fact, when surveyed, a worrying 35 percent blamed social media for their stresses today.The only way for us to improve the current situation is to provide men with safe havens where they feel comfortable enough to speak openly. Previously, this was most likely provided by their local pubs. But today, with the barbering industry booming, 69 percent of men say their relationship with their barber is much better than their relationship with their landlord - or lady. Our survey also revealed that 92 percent of men visit their barber at least once a month, with 10 percent admitting to making weekly trips to not only smarten up their styles but to socialise. In comparison, just 70 percent of men visit their local watering hole at least once a month.
The Lions Barber Collective is encouraging all barbers to educate themselves in how to recognise the signs of mental illness and depression, in customers that are willing to talk about it. Therefore, we've launched Barber Talk, a movement that is leading the way to provide barbers with a bespoke training programme that will enable them to guide customers to the appropriate professional help. Our work is a valuable stepping stone in helping men to break down the ancient walls that suppress mental health.
For more information on The Lions Barber Collective and Barber Talk, visit www.thelionsbarbercollective.com
If you, or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, or depression, visit Samaritans.org
First published in the Capital Winter Magazine 2017
Freelance Focus
Freelance Focus, is a one stop resource for anyone working as a freelancer or thinking of going freelance in the hair & beauty industry, which includes a FREE downloadable guide filled with advice, useful insights, experiences and tips (from experienced freelancers) to help you understand the steps needed to make the right choices for you.
Top trending
VEGAN
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
VEGAN
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
OFFER
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
7 FOR 6
MORE OPTIONS
OFFER
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
BUY 3 FOR THE PRICE OF 2
OFFER
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
6 FOR 5
MORE OPTIONS
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
OFFER
VEGAN
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
MULTI BUY
Back to Posts
Tags
- acne
- advice
- allergy
- apps
- autumn
- awards
- balayage
- barbering
- beauty industry
- blonde
- braids
- bridal
- brows
- business
- capital & i
- career
- christmas
- client loyalty
- color wow
- covid-19
- curls
- eyelash
- facial
- fanola
- festive
- finance
- freelance
- gellux
- hair
- hair care
- hair colour
- hair salon
- hair styles
- hair styling
- hair trends
- hairdressing
- hairstyle
- hairstyles
- halloween
- healthy
- how to
- hygiene
- ideas
- indola
- industry
- inspiration
- interview
- k18
- lashes
- lockdown
- loreal
- macadamia
- make up
- makeup
- manicure
- marketing
- mens
- mental health
- microblading
- nail art
- nail industry
- nail inspiration
- nail technician
- nail trends
- nails
- new years
- nioxin
- nxt
- olaplex
- opi
- party
- pedicure
- ponytail
- products
- professional
- professionals
- pulp riot
- redken
- reopening
- retail
- reviews
- revlon
- salon
- salon finance
- salon furniture
- salon management
- salon owner
- salon refit
- salon services
- salon system
- salons
- schwarzkopf
- self care
- self-care
- self-employed
- skills
- skincare
- skincare regime
- skincare steps
- social
- social media
- spa
- spring
- step by step
- style
- styling
- stylist
- summer
- sun damage
- suncream
- sustainable
- tanning
- technique
- the manicure company
- tigi
- tiktok
- time to improve
- tips
- toner
- toning
- top knot
- training
- treatment
- trending products
- trends
- tutorial
- updo
- upskills
- valentines
- vegan
- vegan beauty
- veganuary
- wahl
- waxing
- wedding
- wella
- wellbeing
- wellness
- winter
- winter nails
- yovanka loria extensions
Latest Posts
- The K18 ingredients you need for your cleanest hair yet!
- A Week In My Shoes - Yovanka Loria
- Is K18 a Protein?
- Chantelle: Capital & Me, my self-employed journey & the importance of networking
- Meet Sophie, owner of ‘Sophie’s Lashes & Beauty’ which she has been running now for over 7 years!
- K18 Biomimetic Hair Science vs. Bond Builders
- K18 & Your Salon Services - How to incorporate K18 Services for Ultimate Hair Restoration
- What is K18 and how does it work?
- From Money Worries to Family Drama: What's Stressing Your Skin & Hair the Most?
- Something Old - Something New
Related Posts
The K18 ingredients you need for your cleanest hair yet!
Has your client ever asked you abour ingredients in the products that you use on them?
Have you found yourself scanning the back of the packaging and googling the names and feeling a little lost?
You're not alone. Ingredient labels are complex when it comes to haircare and contain an array of unfamilar natural chemical and biological ingredients with confusing names. We are here to give you the tools you need to translate and explain to your clients what is in the products that you use on them in the salon and which K18 products can help you achieve the cleanest hair yet!
A Week In My Shoes - Yovanka Loria
Spend the week with Yovanka Loria, a salon owner and founder of a multifaceted global business, Yovanka Loria Extensions.
Is K18 a Protein?
K18 is built differently...
As hair stylists, we all know about protein overload. That dreaded dry, brittle feeling in the hair is not only an undesirable result, but any treatments you apply won't be able to penetrate deep into the hair fibre and work their magic. But don’t worry! K18 has got your back.
Chantelle: Capital & Me, my self-employed journey & the importance of networking
Introducing Chantelle, a talented beautician, hair extension specialist and proud owner of ‘Chantelle’s Beautique’. We sit down with Chantelle as she tells us how she started out in the industry, her top tips for becoming self-employed, struggles she faced and overcame along the way and her favourite products that she can’t live without!
My treatment room is based in my garden at home and I offer a full range of Hair and Beauty treatments specialising in skin care, brows & hair extensions. My clients love my set up and really appreciate the little touches like being able to park with ease and having more of a cosy experience away from the hustle and bustle of a busy salon. As well as running my own business at home, I also enjoy teaching others on their journey starting out in the trade with my own accredited courses at home as another branch of my business called ‘The Hair and Beauty Training Beautique’. You may also see me in your local Capital Hair & Beauty as I also tutor for one of their training providers ‘Face Forward’ offering brow lamination and lash lift and tint courses.
Meet Sophie, owner of ‘Sophie’s Lashes & Beauty’ which she has been running now for over 7 years!
Sophie gained a wealth of experience working in the industry from her background working in prestigious 5 hotel & spa and salon settings which lead her up to starting a business of her own. We talk about all things beauty and the curved tweezers that she can’t live without!
Hi Sophie, tell us a little bit about your journey and how you go into the industry and what lead up to starting out on your own?
I gained a lot of knowledge from working in different settings from working with a big teams in a 5 star hotels and spas to smaller beauty salon environments. I gained so much knowledge from working in both settings and although it was hard work and long hours.
I started out by working in a few different 5 star hotels with spas and a salons where I gained all my knowledges and experiences from each one to put together for my own business! It was hard work and long hours all the practice paid off. It was actually one of my clients I saw regularly in the salon I worked at that said I should set up on my own and gave me the confidence to go self-employed and I’ve not looked back since!
K18 Biomimetic Hair Science vs. Bond Builders
As professionals in the hairdressing industry, we're well aware of the constant innovation occurring in our field. Our clients love to dramatically alter their look with the ever-changing trends and we do everything we can to prioritise the health of their hair. Bond-building treatments have long been a staple in salons to address this need. However, allow us to present the latest advancement: biomimetic hair science and K18!
Understanding the Future of Haircare: From Bond Builders to Biomimetic Hair Science
For centuries, the haircare industry relied on cosmetic chemistry to conceal damage. Historical solutions like oils and conditioners were designed to sit on the surface of the hair, providing a temporary fix by improving its appearance and manageability. However, these solutions fell short of addressing hair's health at its core.
K18 & Your Salon Services - How to incorporate K18 Services for Ultimate Hair Restoration
Learn how to leverage K18 products in your salon services to reverse damage, fortify hair and enhance salon results all whilst boosting your salon profits. Discover our step-by-step instructions for every treatment, from lightening to styling in our handy salon go-to guide!
What is K18 and how does it work?
Following the natural structure of hair, the biologically active peptide is considered natural. Unlike traditional bonding agents, it is not rinsed away by water or shampoo, making K18 a genuine and enduring remedy for damaged hair. Healthy hair originates in the salon, and K18 believes its influence starts at the salon chair and radiates outward. While K18 is suitable for all hair types and services, the most significant improvements are seen in damaged hair.