A BARBER shop who constantly strive to help their community during the cost-of-living crisis are providing in-person workshops for parents to learn how to cut their child’s hair themselves.
Regent Barbers, on Regent Street in Runcorn, have in the past provided free back-to-school haircuts for hundreds of children in the area, but this time, they are lending their craft to parents to give them one less expense to pay for during testing times.
The group of stylists are running sessions on Sunday afternoons, designed to equip parents with the skills to confidently cut their own children’s hair at home.
Led by former Grange Comprehensive pupils Jared and Isaac Byrom, with support from Luke Jennings, the course ‘Learn Your Child’s Haircut’ is proving ‘incredibly popular’, with an overwhelming response from parents online.
Barber at the shop, Jared Byrom spoke of the new campaign, saying: “We initially planned to hold only three classes with seven students in each, but due to demand, we were able to secure an additional 105 barber kits, taking our class total to 126.
“Each student receives a full barber kit worth over £120, consisting of cordless clippers, professional scissors, trimmers, gown, and other essential tools.
“What started as a way to help families save money has also become a lifeline for parents of SEN children who struggle to get a haircut in a traditional barber shop.
“With the skills they acquire in our classes, they can now provide haircuts in a comfortable setting at home.”
The course covers basic barber skills, including clipper and scissor care and barbering theory work, followed by a detailed demonstration by one of the barbers, taking attendees through each step before parent’s then get the chance to try it themselves on their children - with one-to-one support throughout.
The business has received praise online since first running the sessions, with one parent who attended saying: “"It was a brilliant opportunity and experience. Thanks for your time and patience on the day and for the kit.”
While another said: “Thank you so much for this opportunity. I managed to give my son a haircut which didn’t look a mess.
“Every time I needed advice you guys were on hand to step in and help out. Appreciate everything.”
Speaking on why the barber shop chose to begin the campaign, Jared said:
“It gives us such an amazing feeling to be able to help so many people, the timeless adage, teach a man to fish and he’ll never go hungry comes to mind.
“It’s not just about saving the parents money it’s about making the child feel good about their haircut too, you can’t buy a child’s reaction when they’re shown the haircut in the mirror and a smile comes across their face.
“It can be an incredible bonding experience between parent and child when their mum or dad gives them a haircut, they’re proud of and want to show off.
“When parents leave our classes smiling with confidence and looking forward to the next haircut rather than dreading the experience, we know we have done a good job and it just spurs us on to help more people.
“We were born and raised in Runcorn so we’re always looking for ways to give back to the community, Isaac and I are from a big family so sharing and helping each other has been drilled into us from a young age.
“Everyone that comes into our barbers feels like an extension of our own family.”
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