Andrew barton becomes patron of project eileen to support hair raising event

As a hairdresser there are many personal conversations that happen in the salon with clients, including more difficult topics like bereavement. Celebrity hairdresser, Keune creative ambassador and Racoon International creative director, Andrew Barton is calling on salons to help raise awareness of this topic in salons and beyond in his new role as Patron of Project Eileen.

Andrew, who himself was bereaved as a teenager, has got behind the charity that provides a series of free lessons to help teenagers tackle bereavement and grief. With Andrew’s support, Project Eileen is teaming up with hairdressers and barbers to raise funds and awareness on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 October for their brand-new Hair Raising event.

The first event of its kind, barbershops and hairdressing salons will display posters and leaflets; stream original Ska music written especially for the charity; and encourage their customers to donate and spread the word.

All schools have a bereavement policy. Project Eileen goes further with its proactive approach to open up the conversation around grief and death. Students experiencing the Project Eileen Programme of lessons during their schooldays gain the tools and life skills to help both themselves and others now and in their future lives.

"Losing our father as children has had a lasting impact on how my siblings and I respect and understand bereavement. The support Project Eileen provides is invaluable and will have a lasting positive impact on a person’s life and not only help them to deal with bereavement but other people’s losses too. I’m honoured to support the charity as Patron and create awareness for the charity’s incredible work," says Andrew Barton.

Louise Poffley, founder and CEO, Project Eileen adds: “We’re aware many people depend on their hairdressers and barbers with whom to share their issues, very often their grief following bereavement or other life changing events, so we feel incredibly honoured to have on board Andrew Barton, with his huge experience and passion to support our work.”

Salons and barbershops who’d like to take part should email [email protected] with their contact details including name and address and they will be sent a Project Eileen Package which includes: the Hair Raising poster, leaflets, laminated QR code for donations and a link to stream the music.