Westminster Barbershops Lead the Charge in Mental Health Awareness with ‘Trim Talk’ Initiative
Barbershops have long been community hubs, places where conversations typically revolve around football scores or holiday plans. However, a new initiative, Trim Talk, by Westminster City Council is transforming these local institutions into safe spaces for much more critical discussions—those surrounding mental health.
In an innovative move to address mental health challenges in underrepresented communities, the council has launched the Trim Talk scheme. This program provides free mental health training for barbers, equipping them with the skills needed to create supportive environments where young men feel comfortable discussing their emotions and struggles.
Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), Trim Talk aims to make barbers more than just stylists—they become trusted confidants and mental health allies. The initiative addresses a significant issue: research has shown that men are less likely to seek help for mental health problems compared to women, often due to societal pressures that discourage them from expressing vulnerability.
The training, which began earlier this year, has already seen several barbershops across Westminster complete the program. These barbers now possess the skills to recognize the signs of mental distress in their clients, initiate meaningful conversations about mental health, and provide direction to appropriate support services when needed. The training focuses on building conversation and listening skills, boosting the confidence of barbers to offer support even in crisis situations.
Adam Hyland, owner of Raisa’s Barbers on Harrow Road, is one of the pioneers of the scheme. He expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “We are thrilled to support Trim Talk. Our colleagues, customers, and communities deserve a psychologically safe space where they can ‘open up,’ and we are proud to champion this mental health campaign with Westminster City Council.”
The council is particularly focused on areas like North Paddington, where communities face higher levels of deprivation. Trim Talk is part of a broader effort to reform place-based working in Westminster, aiming to create a network of trusted local businesses that address mental health head-on. If successful, this model could be expanded across the borough, providing much-needed mental health support to more residents.
Debbie Jackson, Executive Director for Regeneration, Economy, and Planning at Westminster City Council, emphasized the importance of the initiative: “We are so proud that through Trim Talk, we’re helping to turn barbershops into safe havens where men can openly discuss their feelings and emotions. Barbers will now be better equipped to support customers facing loneliness and emotional distress, and the hope is that this project will start conversations to support better mental health in Westminster.”
This initiative is part of a larger campaign by Westminster City Council to promote positive mental health and connect residents with the services they need. For more information on Trim Talk and other mental health support initiatives, you can visit Westminster City Council’s dedicated mental health webpage.
