Every mind matters to local hairdressers

Thursday 24 February 2022

'Every mind matters' is the message that one hair salon in Guernsey is trying to promote.

New Image Hair owner Shane Mauger is encouraging his clients to talk to their stylist if they are having mental health challenges. But he also acknowledges that some clients - at times for the same reason - prefer what are known as 'silent appointments'.

Mr Mauger said he had offered designated 'silent appointments' in recent years, but found people prefer to talk.

“We launched a silent appointment venture four or five years ago and ran if for two years, but there was no uptake for it at all in that time,” he said.

“Recently, we have had a few clients struggling with their mental health and we found that it was therapeutic for them to talk to us during their appointments”.

Signs have been placed around the salon encouraging clients to open up if they think it will be helpful.

Pictured: A digital sign on display in New Image Hair salon at the Longstore.

“We had one client who was in tears before she came through the doors. She talked with her stylist during her appointment and by the time she left she was doing much better. Sometimes you just need someone to listen,” said Mr Mauger.

“We aren’t trained therapists, but we can do something to help by listening.

"There are, of course, times when people would prefer not to talk at all and we will happily accommodate that.”

Pictured: New Image Hair owner Shane Mauger.

Some salons in the UK offer silent appointments by request.

Panache salon owner Katie Neville said she had heard of the initiative.

“We have never had a client ask for a silent appointment, but we would like to think they would be comfortable asking if that’s what they wanted and we would always be happy to do so," she said.

“Generally, we can tell whether a client wants to have a conversation or not and we will be quiet through the appointment if that’s what they prefer."

Pictured: Panache owner Katie Neville said she and her stylists are always ready to adapt to clients' requests about communication during appointments.

James Bransford, the owner of James Bransford Barber Shop, echoed Ms Neville’s comments.

“It's important to read the body language of a client and you can usually tell whether they want to talk or not,” he said.

“I think it’s important to encourage open communication with your hairstylist or barber for many reasons.

"For example, there are sometimes occasions where a client will say they are happy with their cut when there is something they would like done differently.

"If we don’t have effective communication with our clients then we can’t help them as much as we’d like to. Communication is so important.”