A project developed and funded by the London Borough of Bexley and delivered by Mind in Bexley has been named as the Innovation Champion at the Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards.
The Bexley Barbershop Project works with groups of barbers to engage and support men who may be looking for help with their mental health and wellbeing. The project followed research that revealed that men are statistically more likely to discuss mental health issues with their barber than with their GP.
Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services and Health, Cllr Melvin Seymour said:
This is a well-deserved award. I have been part of this project since its launch in 2022. We know that men often struggle to talk about mental health issues and the fact that the project has developed to allow even more people to benefit is great news. I’d encourage other local settings to get involved.”
Now expanded into the Wellbeing Ambassadors scheme, the Barbershop Project has transformed everyday conversations into life-saving support for both men and women. Stylists, barbers, nail technicians and tattoo artists are helping people talk about their mental health. 61 Ambassadors have already joined and have been trained to spot the signs of poor mental health and wellbeing.
The project has sparked more than 1,800 wellbeing conversations and crucially, 43 clients have gone on to access Mind in Bexley’s Crisis services. With training and support from Mind and tools like conversation-prompt mirror stickers, Ambassadors are breaking stigma, building trust and helping to save lives.
Local barbershops, salons, tattoo studios or nail bars in Bexley are welcome to join the growing number of trained Wellbeing Ambassadors - please contact Mind in Bexley by emailing ambassador@mindinbexley.org.uk