Unique hairdressing training academy holds official ribbon cutting ceremony
Tom Chapman, founder of The Lions Barber Collective & BarberTalk, mental wellbeing and suicide prevention charity cut the ribbon to officially open the HAIR AT THE ACADEMY’s (HATA) new hairdressing and barbering salon located in the centre of Exeter.
Tom opened the ceremony with a few words: “I’m so proud and honoured to have been asked to officially open the new HAIR AT THE ACADEMY salon. ‘The Lions Barber Collective’, recognise the hard work of unsung hair and beauty heroes across the UK, who not only deliver exceptional services day in, day out but go the extra mile to help others in a time of need, genuinely making a difference to someone’s life. What has been created at HATA is truly life-changing for the individuals who are lucky enough to be there, and who have had an incredible impact on the community.”
Established in 2004 by Mary Pugsley MBE, HATA is the only one of its kind in the UK, delivering a unique training programme in hairdressing, barbering, customer service, and Math’s & English to support young adults with complex needs, including those with mental health issues and from all kinds of backgrounds or circumstances. The unique 52-week provision with an ethos of education to employment, achieves an impressive 95% success of getting students towards completion of work-ready qualifications.
Over 50 supporters including students, staff and industry experts in mental health attended the event which proved to be an emotional journey for so many. Past, present, and future students Neysa; Tyler; Courtney; Kayleigh and Harvey bravely opened the presentations by sharing their individual and personal stories.
Glen King who organised the event comments: “Our hearts went out to the students; it was so courageous to stand up and talk in front of so many people about the obstacles and challenges they have had to face and how far they have come on their journey with the support of Mary and the team - there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. It brings home just how lucky we are to have this incredible provision in Exeter which literally changes the lives of so many for the better.
Mary Pugsley MBE said: “It’s been a challenging journey which started in 2018 and throughout the Pandemic to where we are today, so it was important to us to celebrate this momentous milestone with those who have helped us during such difficult times. We simply couldn’t have done it without the support and generosity of so many including ‘The Incorporation of Weavers, Fullers and Shearmen’ (IWFS) – we are forever grateful to them for enabling us to continue our good works.”
The Exeter Charity IWFS based at the historical ‘Tuckers Hall’ in Fore Street came to Mary’s rescue when she needed to find larger premises, by purchasing freehold property ‘Cornerstone’. The Guild of Weavers provides support for disadvantaged young people aged 16 - 25 to receive training and assistance, to enable them into employment, fitting perfectly with HATA’s delivery programme.
Nicky Baker, the first ever female master in IWFS’s 550-year history, was sadly unable to attend in person on the day of the official opening because of Covid. She was represented by Andrew Maynard, The Clerk - Tuckers Hall.
She says: “Four years’ ago, our Livery Company, the IWFS based at Tuckers Hall in Fore Street, decided to reinvigorate our charity philanthropy within the city of Exeter. We needed to find a new focus to help the young people of Exeter, many of whom were inclined to fall between the cracks of our social services for support; be it for the provision of suitable accommodation, employment training or financial assistance. In particular we were helped by the YMCA, and it was one of our Liverymen, Emma Osmundsen, who is the President of the European Alliance of YMCAs, who suggested Mary should approach us for help. From the outset we were very impressed with Mary’s enthusiasm, clarity of vision, drive and ambition and realised that this project fell exactly into our own objectives.”
Guest speaker Wendy Ohlson – Head Teacher virtual schools for Devon County Council said: “The provision offered by the excellent team has been nothing short of a life saver for some of our young people. We work with those in care who’ve experienced trauma and loss over their lifetime and often find demands and expectations of a mainstream provider impossible to manage. The Academy has created a safe supportive environment with clear boundaries but acceptance that each person comes in with their own story and offer endless support for them to gradually trust and grow having less periods of dysregulation and anger. The young people know that the staff will not give up on them they may not like the way they are behaving to the things they are saying but that they will be able to talk this over and begin again.”
Cath Kidman Relationships Manager VTCT & Itec, one of the presenters said: “It was such an honour to be part of the launch of HAIR AT THE ACADEMY’s wonderful new salon and to salute the amazing work of Mary Pugsley, MBE and her colleagues and the fantastic achievement of their learners. Also, to have the opportunity to celebrate the powerful synergy that can be achieved when people collaborate towards a common goal.” She adds: “I am very proud to work so closely with HATA as one of our incredible VTCT training providers and witness their journey as they continue to drive forward mental health awareness and understanding.”
The event concluded with each guest receiving a complementary gift bag courtesy of Salon Services based in Marsh Barton, Exeter.
