After Covid, everyone thought most men’s first port of call was the pub, but actually most men wanted to visit their barber. The barbershop is a safe space for men to hangout and chat. There was even a survey that said most men would confide in their barber before their doctor.
In November 2022, we lost one of the Bonds’ family, Lee, to suicide. None of us saw this coming. The barbershop is a safe space for men to come, feel relaxed and get everything off their chest. Lee spent years making his clients feel the best he could, but none of us knew how much he was suffering himself.
" Our aim is people will then start to discuss mental health and see that it’s OK to discuss mental health and it’s OK not to be OK "
As we near the first anniversary of his death, we, as a team want to do something positive for men’s mental health.
Our aim is to raise as much awareness for men’s mental health as we can and help Movember raise as much money as we can.
We are doing this in several ways:
- Three of the Bond’s shops have partnered with local bars to raise awareness and money.
- We did shave downs in the barbershop on November 1st. The day was fun and encouraged anyone taking part to donate to Movember.
- We’re talking to our clients about taking part in Movember and growing a Mo for the month. We hope this will really spread awareness for the cause. When all the local guys are walking around with a moustache, people are going to ask questions. Our aim is people will then start to discuss mental health and see that it’s OK to discuss mental health and it’s OK not to be OK.
This will all lead to a massive event in one of the partnered bars – Whittles in Broadstone, Horse and Groom Wareham or Alfies Winchester at the end of November.
In these bars, we are hosting a Magnum PI night where everyone is encouraged to wear a funky shirt to help show off their Mo. There will be a Movember cocktail and DJs playing 80s tunes. The next day will be the end of the event and the shave down in the barbershops.
I’ve been involved with Movember since 2012, when I was chair of the British Barbers Association. Back then we used our heavy database to encourage barbershops to get involved with this fantastic charity.
I love Movember because it covers a lot of men’s health concerns and it’s fun – with growing moustaches. It's a charity that sits really well within the barbershop community.
Every barbershop in the country should embrace Movember, as we are in the prime position to get men talking and opening up.