Pop-up barbershop in Piccadilly Station providing free haircuts and a safe space to talk about mental health

Passengers and commuters at Manchester Piccadilly railway station were offered free haircuts by a pop up barbershop on Monday (24 October) as part of Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership’s Shining a Light on Suicide campaign.

All the barbers had been trained in mental health awareness and were around to provide fresh haircuts and a safe space to talk. Overall, the barbers served around a hundred people who shared their issues from suicide to the state of their mental health and even the current economic climate.

Tom Chapman, founder of the Lions Barber Collective, a group of international barbers raising awareness for suicide prevention, said: “It was a pleasure for us to meet so many of the Greater Manchester public and really address the stigma attached to mental health and suicide.

“The conversations had today have been incredible. People have been so open and shared everything from suicide to their current mental health and the state of the current economic climate.

“Our barbers have all learned the skills and tools to support people’s mental health. This makes them more than just a barber or a hairdresser, it makes them a safe space for someone to feel some support and kindness. Everyone involved in this initiative wants to make a difference to someone’s life.”

We went down during the event to talk to the people involved.