With over 600,000 cases of work related stress in 2018/19 and one in six British workers said to experience depression and anxiety, it’s important and great to see initiatives that focus on promoting mental health and welfare taking place. On that note, Leicester hair salon Mewies & Co hosted a team mental health workshop in response to recognising the impact of mental ill health.
Dan Mewies, founder of Mewies & Co and Authentic Beauty Concept ambassador said: “Here at Mewies & Co we recognise the importance of mental health. We hosted a workshop with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England to protect the minds of our team during this uncertain time and we can see the benefits lasting well beyond lockdown. The mental health education seminar built our awareness personally during this difficult time and also for when we’re looking ahead and can open our doors to our loyal clients. With MHFA instructor Richard Pope, we talked about what fills our ‘personal stress container’, how we learn to realise these pressures and helpful coping mechanisms.”
Building a healthy work environment
Dan believes this education will help to build a happier team and a more proactive business and we couldn’t agree more. Putting the session into practice, Mewies & Co are taking three simple steps to move forward:
- Sensitise: Introduce the idea of talking about mental health
- Skills: Through quality training, empower employees to support each
- Sustain: Keep disseminating skills and awareness
Dan adds: “As an organisation we’ve invested in developing our teams understanding of mental health awareness and have since decided to invest further and fund a member of the team to become an accredited Mental Health First Aider for Mewies & Co and to encourage our open door policy. As a team we can’t wait to see our clients again and give them all the boost they deserve. Using lockdown the best way we can our hairdressing skills will be better than ever and also our mental health. As a result we will be here to listen and carry on our incredible Mewies & Co salon experience.”
What a thoughtful and amazing idea – bravo, team!
Dan’s takeaway tips
In order to support and motivate hairdressers and salon owners, Dan also shares his tips with us:
On a personal level
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
- A positive support system of friends/family
- Regular timeouts when needed
- Stay hydrated
As a business owner
- On a business level
- Promote an open door policy
- Keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to think outside the box
- Be more visual
- Find time for your team
Authentic Beauty Concept has launched a new series of Instagram Lives to help hairdressers explore their creativity, find peace at a difficult time and get advice and tips; Dan will show you ‘how to create an e-shop’ on Friday 29th January, 11am – read more HERE.
Invest in your team’s mental health and create a safe place for your employees and colleagues – you won’t regret it. Good job, Mewies & Co team, and thank you, Dan, for the tips!
For more of the latest hairdressing news, click HERE.
_______________________________
Respect is a hub for UK hairdressers of all ages and stages to find out what We Love, We Hear and We See as the best product launches, styling advice, hairtools, education training and seminars and hairshows! Sign up to our newsletter which is sent fortnightly direct to your email, so you stay up-to-date with salon styling information, trends in session work, advice on presenting on stage or progress in educating – whatever your interest, whether you’re a trainee or creative director, an educator or team leader, you’ll find all the opportunities and ideas on www.respectyou.me