Barbershops shining spotlight on prostate cancer and men’s mental health in scheme with Newark and Sherwood District Council

An initiative is aiming to encourage men to have important conversations about their health and wellbeing while visiting their barber.

Over the last 18 months, Newark and Sherwood District Council’s health improvement team has worked with several barbers across the district to help enable them to share vital information about prostate cancer while chatting with their customers — with the hope of encouraging an uptake on screening.

Around 15 barber shops currently participate, and were provided with information and resources to give them confidence to provide their customers with good advice.

Susan Crosby, portfolio holder for health, wellbeing and leisure at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We know that one in eight men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

“However, we also know that with regular check-ups and screenings, if it is caught early, treatment can be very successful. We know conversations around cancer and health in general can be difficult and uncomfortable, particularly for men, and therefore wanted to be able to reach out to those that perhaps we wouldn’t be able to target through our traditional routes.

“Your barber is a trusted member of society who you see on a regular basis, you build a rapport and friendship with them whilst you get your hair cut or bread trimmed. It made sense for us to utilise that relationship to spread awareness with men about the importance of keeping an eye on your health, knowing what signs to spot, getting checked for prostate cancer and going to see your GP if you feel there is something wrong.”

The barbers are visited by the health team every six months to explore feedback and any further support which could be offered — and following this the team have now expanded the resources they provide to now include information on mental health, suicide and debt.

Susan Crosby added: “It is great news to hear that the initiative was so successful with raising awareness of prostate cancer and that following our conversations with the barber shops involved we were able to expand those resources we provided to include talking about mental health.

“Unfortunately, suicide is the leading cause of death in men under 50 and these conversations barbers are having with their clients focus on the fact that your mental health is just as important as your physical health. They are able to point them in the direction where they can receive help and support and emphasise that you don’t need to suffer alone. Sometimes someone reaching out and checking you’re ok can make all the difference.

“I personally would like to thank all of the barber shops involved and encourage them to continue the conversation around men’s health, it’s so important. If anyone is interested in becoming part of the initiative, please get in touch with Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Health Improvement Team at wellbeing@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk”