My aim is to create a centre combining a cafe/bistro, a hair and beauty salon, and a psychotherapy school. Together they would introduce support systems for the mental and emotional wellbeing of its employees, the local community and visitors.
I want to offer tangible services which benefit people’s lives while driving footfall to the city and taking pressure off other local health services. I know the NHS is struggling to cope and my plans could assist in keeping people out of its psychological therapy services and general practices.
My plans will also fit well with the move in retail towards immersive experiences where there is a crossover of skills and services.
Cost of Living Crisis, Pandemic Mental Health Crisis
The wider context is to play a firsthand part in the City’s response to the ongoing recovery process following the pandemic and the current cost of living crisis.
As I mentioned to you I have run successful businesses in the City of London for 30 years. I currently operate out of Devonshire Square and have been here for 12 years. I am also a UKCP-registered psychotherapist and a member of The London School of Biodynamic Psychotherapy. As such I am well suited and equipped to take forward the plans and have the energy and drive to make it a success.
I see daily in my psychotherapy practice people struggling with emotional, psychological and physical afflictions, traumas, illness, disorders and disabilities. Sometimes there is a crossover too when people share from my styling chair their unfortunate difficulties and challenges in life born of conflicts and confusion.
In both careers I meet and work with clients in the City of London with autism, ADHD disorders, suicidal tendency, depression, anxiety, addictions and people who have suffered many emotional, physical and psychological traumas.
To be clear, I have ideas but without financial support this project could not go forward. I want to secure a grant to subsidise services for the community.
More on the specific three pillars of the proposal:
The salon
Building on my already established salon I would like to add a more therapeutic focus that could train apprentices and experienced stylists in how to support clients struggling with their mental and emotional wellbeing.
The Salon experience in general when achieved correctly can often be an inherently therapeutic experience. Not only do people receive a flattering and beautifying external transformation but with the right care and attune-ment the client’s emotional and psychological mood can and often does benefit from an uplifting boost. However as I have learnt and developed myself I feel a lot more theory, education, support and awareness that can be added and expanded on that would enhance the experience for both clients and stylists.
The Bistro
I want to provide a community hub and space offering all-day catering and refreshments (breakfast, lunch and dinner). I would like to use the space to provide employment for people struggling to work due to issues around their mental or emotional health.
The London School of Biodynamic Psychotherapy (LSBP)
I would like to create a permanent home for the LSBP. It is a not-for-profit organisation which for many years has provided low cost biodynamic psychotherapy in North London and helped many people restore their wellbeing. The LSBP would provide training for future psychotherapists, provide workshops, courses and ‘continuing professional development’ for professionals and the public.
With any of the above activities we could introduce many organisations and charities to collaborate and support our ongoing initiatives.
We have already reached out to the Lions Barber Shop Collective. It is another good initiative providing emotional support for clients in hair salons. They also offer tools and educate stylists in being aware of clients’ mental health.
I have included some links to other initiatives below which highlight the validity of this type of work.
To discuss this further please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
My contact number is 07841590695
With warmest wishes,
Jonny
Links
Lions Barbershop Collective
The New Normal Charity was founded in 2018 by friends Jack and Ben.
https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/head/article/43790/1/psychologist-drastic-haircuts-emotion?amp=1
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjyLWZOgyI-/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=