SalonEVO Magazine

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Action for Children Youngsters Graduate with Level 1 Barbering Award Through Partnership with Rainbow Room International

After an intense eight-week programme including time spent with Rainbow Room International, combining theory, practical and work experience elements, the young people at Action for Children have successfully graduated with a Level 1 Award; Introduction to Hairdressing and Barbering.

The Rainbow Room International and Action for Children partnership came about when Leigh Kerr, Academy Director at Rainbow Room International, was researching mental health training for the Rainbow Room International team. At the time, Leigh wanted to find this training as a ‘just in case’ measure, but her plans were put to rest when the Covid global pandemic hit. As salons returned to work in the aftermath of the first lockdown this type of training was more important than ever. As fate would have it around this time, Action for Children reached out as they were looking for Barbering training for their young people to give them life and work experience and at the same time also to improve their confidence and wellbeing. The partnership was a match made in heaven, in return for Rainbow Room International providing the youngsters at Action for Children with the Level 1 Award; Introduction to Hairdressing and Barbering, the Action for Children team would provide Rainbow Room International’s Director’s, management and salon teams with training sessions focussed around mental health and ‘Ask Tell Save a Life’ training. Four ‘Ask Tell Save a Life’ training courses were provided to the Rainbow Room International team and there were eleven qualifications received by the team for First Aid for Mental Health.

To celebrate the success of the partnership and the youngsters, Action for Children arranged a Graduation Day, held at Glasgow’s award-winning seafood restaurant, The Finnieston. The day started with teas, coffees and networking before Paul Carberry, Action for Children Director, welcomed everyone to the event before discussing the partnership, how delighted he was with the Action for Children team for everything they had done to make the partnership a success, how proud he was of the youngsters for their commitment and also sharing his thanks to the Rainbow Room International team for the invaluable training and support they had provided throughout the eight weeks.

Leigh Kerr then provided a speech discussing how the partnership was formed, how mental health training was something she always wanted to find for the Rainbow Room International team and how important it is for hairdressers, who speak to clients all day, to look after themselves and their own mental health too.

The speeches were closed by Craig Houston, Young Person’s Practitioner/Acting Service Co-ordinator, who discussed how the training has provided experiences for the young people and how they should all be proud of what they have accomplished before Leigh was welcomed back to present the youngsters with their qualifications in the shape of a plaque, certificate, tool kit and photo album. Craig and the youngsters also provided Leigh with an Award of Recognition, flowers and chocolates as a thank you. The day then finished with a three-course lunch before further networking.

Paul Carberry, Action for Children Director for Scotland, stated: “This has been a great partnership, one which we hope will grow in the future. Action for Children are thankful for the professionalism, care and support the Rainbow Room staff have given to our young people. To undertake this training during the challenges of the covid crisis has been remarkable, both for the staff and the young people themselves. We know that the crisis has disproportionately affected young people especially regarding employment opportunities and their mental health. That is why this programme is so timely, it has instilled the confidence and skills the young people need to take their first step on a career journey.  Hairdressing is a career in which you can meet with people from all walks of life and play a big part in making these people look and feel their best. I congratulate the young people in graduating and wish them well for their future, I’m sure they will be a cut above the rest!”

Leigh Kerr, Academy Director at Rainbow Room International, commented: I’m so proud of all the Action for Children boys completing their Level 1 Award; Introduction to Hairdressing and Barbering. They have worked so hard and now have the opportunity to continue their career in hairdressing further if they wish to. This partnership has not only allowed us to give back to a fantastic charity and their youngsters, but it’s also allowed us to be able to receive mental health training for our Rainbow Room International that now more than ever, is incredibly important and allows us to better take care of ourselves, our team and our clients and be able to talk more openly about sensitive subjects.”

Congratulations to Ciaran ‘cudge’ Welsh, Dylan Neary and Adin Fouchong! Barber and SalonEVO wish you the best of luck in your endeavours!