Action For Children Youngsters Graduation Day

After an intense eight-week programme including time spent with Rainbow Room International. It combined theory, practical and work experience elements. The young people at Action for Children have successfully graduated with a Level 1 Award; Introduction to Hairdressing and Barbering.

The Rainbow Room International and Action for Children partnership came about when Leigh Kerr, Academy Director at Rainbow Room International, was researching mental health training for the Rainbow Room International team. At the time, Leigh wanted to find this training as a ‘just in case’ measure. However, her plans went on hold when the Covid global pandemic hit. As salons returned to work in the aftermath of the first lockdown this type of training became important than ever. A fate would have it around this time, Action for Children reached out as they were looking for Barbering training for their young people to give them life and work experience and at the same time also to improve their confidence and wellbeing.

In return for Rainbow Room International providing the youngsters at Action for Children with the Level 1 Award; Introduction to Hairdressing and Barbering, the Action for Children team would provide Rainbow Room International’s Director’s, management and salon teams with training sessions focussed around First Aid for Mental Health and ‘Ask Tell Save a Life’ training. Four ‘Ask Tell Save a Life’ training courses were provided to the Rainbow Room International team and there were eleven qualifications received by the team for First Aid for Mental Health.

Action For Children Graduation Day

To celebrate the success of the partnership and the youngsters, Action for Children arranged a Graduation Day, held at Glasgow’s award-winning seafood restaurant, The Finnieston. Paul Carberry, Action for Children Director, welcomed everyone to the event before discussing the partnership. He expressed how happy he was with the Action for Children team for everything they had done. Paul also said how proud he was of the youngsters for their commitment; he also shared his thanks to the Rainbow Room International team for the invaluable training and support they had provided throughout the eight weeks.

Leigh Kerr then explained how mental health training was something she always wanted to find for the Rainbow Room International team and how important it is for hairdressers, who speak to clients all day, to look after themselves and their own mental health too.

Award of Recognition

The speeches ended with Craig Houston, Young Person’s Practitioner/Acting Service Co-ordinator. He discussed how the training has provided experiences for the young people; also how they should all be proud of what they have accomplished. Craig and the youngsters also provided Leigh with an Award of Recognition, flowers and chocolates as a thank you. The day then finished with a three course lunch before further networking.

Paul Carberry, Action for Children Director for Scotland, stated: “This has been a great partnership, one which we hope will grow in the future. Action for Children are thankful for the professionalism, care and support the Rainbow Room staff have given. To undertake this training during the challenges of the covid crisis has been remarkable. We know that the crisis has disproportionately affected young people especially regarding employment opportunities and their mental health.

Leigh Kerr, Academy Director at Rainbow Room International, commented: I’m so proud of all the Action for Children boys completing their Level 1 Award; Introduction to Hairdressing and Barbering. They have worked so hard and now have the opportunity to continue their career in hairdressing. This partnership has allowed us to give back to a fantastic charity and their youngsters.”

Action for Children in Scotland works directly with more than 20,000 children, young people, parents and carers each year.  With 89 services in Scotland, we are in communities where you live and work. We help transform the lives of thousands of children and young people each year; we’ve been doing so for 60 years. For more information, visit www.actionforchildren.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @actn4childrScot.

The post Action For Children Youngsters Graduation Day appeared first on EsteticaMagazine.com.