A recent study from the Royal College of Psychiatrists warns that there is a 20% increase in people turning to drink during lockdown (April 2020 figures of 3,459 new adult cases while 2,947 cases last year, same month). Adults are drinking more since the coronavirus pandemic began; more than 8.4m people in England were drinking at higher-risk levels, up from 4.8m in February. Not too surprising, since alcohol is quite often related to anxiety, stress and mental health issues. Statistics like these alongside a personal knowledge of the devastating physical and mental impact, led Louis Byrne to mobilise his I Can I Am I Will (ICIAIW) Campaign and encourage people to care for themselves.
Louis is a passionate campaigner for the positive power of the hairdressing/client relationship and a strong believer in encouraging people to drill down into what is important to them. The campaign, which we have posted about before and fully support, has a clear goal: to act as a focus upon a personal journey to happiness and wellness – something we all strive for. Louis makes this very specific to the hairdresser and client relationship and the many values held within this.
The campaign is built upon the very essence of the client/hairdresser relationship and represents the influence, importance and investment that is captured within this very unique relationship. A relationship that can move between professional friendly to deeply personal friendship. No matter the depth of that relationship, it is Louis’ belief that every hairdresser has the power to make both an external and internal change for the better with client work. He says, “Positive relationships with your clients can make all the difference to your day. Building these friendships helps to make your clients more relaxed whilst in the chair. It not only enables them to be honest with you about their hair but also with life experiences and this can help you to help them but inspire you in some ways also. My campaign started with my friend and client Emma Willis, we were talking about empowerment and claiming victories for ourselves for our own lives and it started me reflecting on the real power and force for change that a hairdresser can have.”
Whilst Louis has Emma Willis and Vicky McClure as clients, he believes that every single client should feel like a celebrity for that time they are with you.
Louis adds, “For a lot of my clients, their first hair appointment with me post lockdown was their first time back into the outside world which was, for some, nerve-wracking. Working with that relationship of trust has proved important in these post-lockdown days, not just for our clients but for us too, being boosted is a huge need for us as we all struggle with the discomforts of the PPE, the heat, the tiredness and also the challenge of bringing our best selves to each appointment, so the value of the relationship really does go both ways.”
Louis’s wellness tips
Breathe – take time to cool the system with deep breaths
Break – ensure you use your breaks wisely – move, stretch, eat and hydrate
Boost – listen to something funny, or have a laugh with a colleague, enjoy your client work – bring your best you
Believe – what you put out will bring rewards, to others & yourself, so keep the circle of care going
Find more info on the campaign HERE.
For more of the latest industry news, click HERE.
________________________________
Respect is a hub for UK hairdressers of all ages and stages to find out what We Love, We Hearand We Seeas 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
We love hairdressing; we see and we hear how you can become the best hairdresser, colourist and salon owner possible. Contact us if you’d like to know more about us. If it’s worth talking about, you’ll read it here.