Last summer, through our Social Value partnership with Travis Perkins Managed Services, we invested in Sheffield’s first mental health friendly, black hair and beauty salon – Tyrah’s Touch. And a year later, we’re continuing to support their services.
The salon was set up by Ursula Myrie, a Yorkshire Housing customer, and her business partner Tyrah, who recently reached out to us looking for some advice.
The salon is open to anyone in the black community struggling with their mental health or who has learning difficulties, including Yorkshire Housing customers. People can go get their hair done for free, or just to sit and talk in the salon and barbershop, which are classed as their therapy rooms. But, due to a rise in people using their service and the nature of their disclosures, Tyrah suggested that the stylists needed counselling training, not only to better support their customers, but for themselves too.
And with that, our employment and skills specialist, Sarah Brotherton, sprang into action and connected them with a training provider in Sheffield which is being funded by Sheffield City Council. Their training starts in September and runs for 5 weeks. They now have enough funding so four stylists can take the course.
Commenting on the funding and training, Ursula said:
“Due to the long-lasting effects of covid and now the cost-of-living crisis, mental health issues are at an all-time high in Sheffield. And because of this, many people have become isolated, and battling with such issues as anxiety, panic attacks and depression.
“So, this training will allow our stylists to offer more than just friendly advice and a listening ear and know they’re giving them the right guidance. We’re grateful to Yorkshire Housing for their support in making this happen and of course to Sheffield City Council for the funding.”
Sarah Brotherton, Yorkshire Housing’s employment and skills specialist, said:
“We’re really pleased to have been able to play a small part in making sure Ursula, Tyrah and their team can provide the best possible support to people who need it the most.
“Their work is incredibly important, and it makes such a huge impact on people’s lives, including Yorkshire Housing customers.”