Beyond The Chair Care
How salons are transforming their communities all across the UK and Ireland
by C | DOCUMENTS
Salons have always been places of connection, care, and transformation. But for some salon owners, their impact goes far beyond the services they provide. These salons are creating safe spaces, building community programmes, and volunteering their time to support those who need it most. Whether it’s through offering a warm, inclusive environment or providing outreach to vulnerable groups, these salons are changing lives in ways that go well beyond haircuts.
Creating Safe Spaces
At the core of many salons is the connection between stylists and their clients, but some salons take this further by making their spaces feel like sanctuaries of warmth, acceptance, and care. Craig Henderson, owner of Craig’s Barber Shop in Bolton, has created a space that is uniquely welcoming for neurodivergent clients, children with disabilities, and those who often struggle with traditional salon environments. “A lot of them have had really bad experiences until they found the right hair professional who they could confide in,” Craig shares. His shop offers a calm, non-judgmental environment that helps clients feel safe.
Similarly, Siobhan Maher, owner of The Peculiar Hair Club in Leixlip, County Kildare, designed her salon as a gender-neutral, inclusive space where everyone feels at home. “When a client comes in, they know they are in a safe space where they can express themselves,” she explains. This welcoming atmosphere is especially important for clients who may not feel comfortable in more traditional salons. Both Craig and Siobhan’s spaces reflect a growing movement in the salon industry – one that recognises the need for salons to be more inclusive and emotionally supportive environments.
Going Beyond the Salon
While creating safe spaces inside the salon is essential, some owners take their work a step further by reaching out into their communities and providing care to those who may never step foot inside their doors. For these salon owners, giving back is not just a gesture – it’s a commitment.
Alison McRitchie, owner of The Head Gardener in Inverness, has worked closely with Highland Hospice since 2010. Her involvement has grown over the years, going beyond the occasional volunteer effort. Alison helped create a salon space within the hospice, where patients can experience the comfort of a hair service in a non-clinical setting. “We wanted to create a space where people could step out of the medical environment and enjoy being pampered,” Alison explains. She and her team remain on-call for the hospice, ensuring that whenever a patient needs a haircut, Alison is there to provide that much-needed care. Her ongoing, dedicated involvement highlights how salons can play a vital role in offering both care and dignity to patients at a challenging time in their lives.
Samantha Cusick and her team at Samantha Cusick London have also extended their care into the community through volunteering. By partnering with Kensington HTB Church, they offered complimentary hair services to individuals at a local shelter. “We believe in the power of self-care and the positive impact it can have on confidence and well-being,” Samantha says. The joy that comes from offering something as simple as a haircut can be transformative for those facing hardship, restoring not just their appearance but their sense of dignity.
Craig Henderson’s community outreach also reflects his commitment to giving back regularly. Every Monday, he visits specialist schools and centres, providing haircuts to neurodivergent children and young adults. “I don’t take a profit from it – I reinvest it back into the shop to enhance the experience for these children,” Craig comments. His work in schools goes beyond the salon and speaks to the deep connection he has with his community.
Inspiring Others
The impact of these efforts doesn’t stop with the individuals these salons serve. Both Craig and Alison are taking their commitment further by developing programmes that help other salon professionals offer the same level of care.
Craig is currently working on a training programme for other hairdressers and barbers across the UK, teaching them how to work with neurodivergent clients and individuals with disabilities. “It’s really about communication and giving them the extra time they need,” Craig explains. His goal is to create a network of professionals who can provide the same level of thoughtful, tailored care that his shop offers. This effort is about more than just teaching technique – it’s about creating a new standard of inclusivity in the industry.
Alison, too, is working to expand her influence beyond Inverness. Her vision is to create a network of salons that can offer similar services to hospices across the country. “The difference it makes to people in their final days is something that can’t be overstated,” she adds. By sharing her experience, getting people in contact, and helping other salon owners understand the value of this work, Alison is paving the way for more salons to integrate care into their business models.
Siobhan Maher’s Peculiar Hair Club is much more than a salon; it’s a home for self-expression and inclusivity, a place where the LGBTQ+ community finds acceptance and empowerment. And Samantha Cusick’s dedication to uplifting women and young stylists –– through her advocacy, mentoring, and community outreach – shows how the act of giving back can extend far beyond a single moment, inspiring confidence that resonates long into the future.
Together, these salon owners are leading a movement within the beauty industry, one that recognises that the true power of a salon lies in its ability to create change, not just in appearances but in lives. Their stories challenge us to think bigger, to care deeper, and to redefine the role that salons can play in the fabric of our communities.
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