Craig's Barber Shop, Bolton honoured for helping children with sensory issues

Craig Henderson, who runs Craig's Barber Shop on Tonge Moor Road, Bolton, has been using days when the shop is closed to go into a nearby nursery, the Nest at St Canterbury's to help children with sensory issues get used to having their hair cut.

Hair cuts can be hugely challenging for children with non-verbal autism and other additional needs and thanks to his hard work, Craig has now been named as the winner of the Beyond Business category at the Collective Pride Awards, run by mental wellbeing charity The Lions Barber Collective.

Craig Henderson getting ready to start a haircut

He said: "Winning this award shows that all my hard work paid off, everyone deserves a awesome haircut and fantastic customer service in and out the salon."

Craig's technique works by helping to get the children desensitised to the experience of getting their hair cut in a comfortable setting that they feel safe in.

This involves spending time to get them used to the equipment, touching the combs and brushes, feeling the water spray mist, and getting familiar with the vibrations of the clippers.

Craig aims to make sure to take time with each child and wait when needed, as each child has a different way of processing the experience.

Haircuts can be challenging for children with sensory issues

He said: "Whether this involves me taking one hour or even four if it helps the child to build up an understanding of the experience of getting a haircut.

"I want them to feel that they had a complete experience of getting a haircut without being judged or discriminated against because of their additional needs.

"A parent of one of the children I work with described taking their 4-year-old son to another barber for his first haircut after lockdown as awful and traumatic but now she knows her son is in calm, respectful hands and it’s a huge relief."

Craig Henderson, of Craig's Barber Shop, Bolton

The Bolton barber has been able to work with ten children so far and describes the experience as "amazing."

Lions Barber Collective founder Tom Chapman said: "I am so proud that Craig Henderson has been awarded the Beyond Business for the phenomenal work he has been doing within the industry, and work like this is the reason the Collective Pride Awards were born."

The awards ceremony is taking place on Monday January 17 at the Barber Surgeon’s Hall in London with tickets now available via Eventbrite.