Don’t cut a long story short Barber gets men chatting about wellbeing
ABARBER is encouraging customers to open up and talk about their mental health at his salon in Bristol.
Ralph Whiteley launched his first barbershop in Clifton Arcade in November and set out to make a difference not only to clients’ hairstyles, but their overall wellbeing.
Customers who book in at Ralph’s Barbershop can also schedule a 15-minute chat free of charge with no need to get their barnet seen to if they like – and people don’t even need to have a trim if all they want is a chinwag.
But the 36-year-old also offers the choice of a quiet cut for customers when they book online, for those who want the conversation to be focused solely on the style of their haircut.
“When I opened my shop I was determined to make it a place where everyone feels welcome and comfortable,” Ralph told the Post.
“I like to think I’ve created an inclusive, super safe space where anyone can come in and talk about whatever they want. My slogan is ‘don’t cut a long story short.’
“I think it’s really important that people start talking about their mental health more, and barbers have always been very good listeners.”
While Ralph doesn’t have any formal counselling qualifications, he has undertaken a course with the Lions Barber Collective, leaving him with the tools required to recognise depressive and suicidal tendencies.
He said this enables him to point clients in the direction of help should they need it.
“I speak to people from all walks of life and they tell me things they don’t even tell their own family members,” he added.
“I’m just here for people to come and talk about whatever they want in a safe space without judgement, regardless of creed, gender, religion or sexual orientation.
“If I can help, even if it’s just by being an ear for people as they say something out loud for the first time, then that’s great.”
A small room adjoins the modest salon which Ralph has converted into a ‘chill out zone’ filled with books, a games console and music equipment, which people can visit to ‘take their mind off things’ if they want to.
Ralph is proud of the fact his shop is kitted out entirely with preloved, second hand equipment and furniture, and that the shop is powered by a renewable energy supplier.
All styling products also have plant-based alternatives for vegan
❝ If I can help, even if it’s just by being an ear for people as they say something out loud for the first time, then that’s great Ralph Whiteley
clients. I’m trying to cover all bases by making the shop accessible for absolutely everyone,” he added.
Ralph learned the basics of hairdressing from his older sister Lisa, who was a successful hairdresser in Plymouth before sadly passing away earlier this year.
He spent weekends as a youngster in Lisa’s salon, watching her cut and helping out where needed, before undertaking an apprenticeship in hairdressing in his early 30s.
After honing the craft under the tutelage of renowned Bristol barber Franco Lombardi, Ralph then launched his own salon in November 2020.
“When I was working for Franco, I discovered clients would open up to me without even being prompted, whether they were telling me about their relationship problems or how they don’t enjoy their job,” he said.
“And as these customers
returned each month I’d see how they were turning corners as a result of coming in for a haircut.
“I wasn’t telling them what to do or anything like that, I was just listening and asking if they’d tried certain things. It was astonishing and really fulfilling seeing the results.
“That’s why I wanted to carry that theme into my own shop. I realised I had an opportunity to offer more than just a haircut.”