A BARBER from Warwick has proved a cut above when it comes to caring for his customers’ well-being.
Paul Lofthouse has been named the winner of the Sam Wall Unsung Hero Award at the inaugural Collective Pride Awards.
Launched by mental wellbeing and suicide prevention charity The Lions Barber Collective, the Collective Pride Awards recognise the hard work of unsung hair and beauty heroes across the UK – those who go the extra mile to help others in a time of need and genuinely make a difference to someone’s life.
Tom Chapman, founder of The Lions Barber Collective, said: “After losing award-winning barber, LBC Ambassador and friend Sam Wall to suicide last year, I wanted to do something to keep his name alive – celebrating those who really look after their clients and the communities they sit within, as well as those who go above and beyond to make a difference to the industry.
“I am so proud that Paul Lofthouse has been awarded the Sam Wall Unsung Hero Award for the phenomenal work he has been doing within the industry, and work like his is the reason the Collective Pride Awards were born.”
Paul won the award for work he has done in mental health diagnosis and treatment, suicide prevention and suicide bereavement services.
Paul lost his father to suicide in April 2020, and has since dedicated a large amount of his time to working with hospitals and health services in Hertfordshire and Essex to ensure mental health is treated as seriously as physical health, and that support is available for those who need it.
After the death of his parents, Paul bought The Den Barbershop in Warwick. He is committed to making the Smith Street shop a safe space for anyone who wants to come in for a hair cut and a chat.
He has already had people say they were recommended the shop because of the welcoming atmosphere, and has customers open up to him about their mental health.
And Paul also plans to start drop in nights at the shop where anyone can come by for a chat in a safe space.
Of the award, Paul said: “It is a huge honour to win this award and I dedicate it to my father, who we lost to suicide and my mother who we lost to Covid-19, both in April 2020.”
