All genuinely traditional barbers know that their role has the potential to provide a much bigger service than just a haircut, shave or beard style!

A good barbershop should provide a 'safe space' to chat about... well, anything! The good stuff in your life - and bad stuff. Things that are worrying you and maybe making you unhappy.

This is my belief anyway - and one of the principal beliefs of my employers at The Dandy Gent Traditional Barbershops.

During the recent lockdown, I was socially isolated for 3 months, as many were and some still are. This was an enforced period of inward reflection for me and I'm sure for thousands more living on their own and in complete isolation.

Were it not for my more recently developed resolve, my love of my work and some new found friendships - I may well have been another statistic - attributed to COVID-19.

2019 saw the UK suicide rates soar to its highest level since 2000 - with 4,303 male suicides registered, compared to 1,388 females. We await 2020 figures with very little optimism for improvement on these figures.

Research does suggest that too many men are ‘toughing it out’, keeping their feelings to themselves and struggling in silence.

By supporting Movember, myself and The Dandy Gent aim to highlight this issue and all of the great work done by Movember and its supporters - its aim: to reduce the rate of male suicide by 25% by 2030.

Please support Movember, by supporting the removal of my beloved beard - and enjoy witnessing The Dandy Gent Master Barber, Shane O'Shaughnessy as he takes the challenge of creating 12 facial hair styles in one sitting!