Dementia Support Line
Real stories
Dementia-friendly barber brings cheer to care home customers
Barber Lenny White is supporting care home residents with haircuts, good conversation and classic songs from his portable jukebox. His business is proving a big hit in Northern Ireland, and he's now setting his sights on the rest of the UK.
For people living with dementia, remaining independent and participating in local communities can be both daunting and frustrating.
Alzheimer's Society statistics show that less than half (47%) of people living with dementia feel a part of their community, while over a quarter (28%) say they have given up even getting out of the house.
So whether it’s a bank, library or local shop, dementia-friendly businesses have a huge role to play.
Meet the dementia-friendly barber
Enter Lenny White, 35, the mobile barber from Northern Ireland who has made it his mission to bring more than just a haircut to the men living with dementia in his local area.
Having previously worked in a nursing home kitchen, Lenny noticed that the hairdressing services were often more tailored towards women – from the lighting and decor to the general conversation.
‘Men love getting together with other men and having a bit of banter. Just because someone has dementia, it doesn't mean they have to lose out on things like this.’
Lenny’s mobile business brings that charm to those who aren’t able to get to their local barber shop.
Whether it’s a care home, day centre, hospital or residential setting, Lenny recreates the traditional barber shop experience for his customers.
As well as barber shop signs, old photographs and hot towels, Lenny also brings along an old jukebox so that his customers can sing along to the classics.
‘When my clients come into the barber room they hear the music and smell the different scents and it seems to instantly relax them,’ says Lenny.
‘I play Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and have many a sing song with my clients - it’s amazing to watch.’
Becoming a Dementia Friend
While Lenny admits to knowing ‘very little’ about about dementia beforehand, he’s since become a Dementia Friend and enrolled in specialist dementia training in his local area.
He also says he’s learned a lot from the people living with dementia whose hair he cuts. ‘I’ve learned to meet people where they’re at. I’m usually quite a fast person, always go go go, and since starting my business and working with people with dementia I am learning to slow way down, be patient and talk them through it.’
Since his first care home visit at Bangor’s Kingsland Care Centre, Lenny’s mobile barber business is growing fast. He’s now setting his sights on the rest of the UK, and encouraging other businesses to become more inclusive for people living with dementia.
‘Dementia is just so common nowadays,’ says Lenny. ‘Every business should be dementia friendly.’
Is your business dementia friendly?
Whether an employee, manager or business owner, find out how you can help enable people affected by dementia to live well in their community:
For more information on Lenny's mobile barber business, visit his website.
Emma Crawford
saysHetty White
saysI am so proud to call you my son. Your work is amazing. We'll done son ♥ ♥ ♥
Agnes faulkner
saysYour doing a great job proud to call you my nephew you were always so kind an thoughful an a great dad yourself
Alison Bulmer
saysWhat a great service to provide. My 58 year old husband with dementia still enjoys going to his local barbers - they look after him well and play music he loves - reggae and rock. It won't be long however before this becomes impossible as his mobility is deteriorating rapidly. My shaving technique and hair cutting just isn't the same quality!
If you find yourself in rural Cheshire please look us up!
tamika wade
saystamika wade says
13/06/2017 at 6:56 am
Lenny whites this is an amazing thing to do for a people that is suffering with dementia.
we offend forget their humans too and have needs and wants like everyone else getting a hair cut might mean nothing for some but this will bounce their confidence, and help them.
this has not changed the people with dementia but himself aswel we here at secure healthcare solutions west midlands believe thats the best help you can offer someone will resulting in you finding yourself in the process.
Lenny
saysThank you very much. Yes you are so right. My business offers a relaxed environment with old music playing on my jukebox and we all have a sing a long at times.
These men just love getting pampered and getting together with other men. It's so important and lifts the mens spirit's. My fb is lenny the mobile barber like and share x
Lenny
saysThank you very much. Yes you are so right. My business offers a relaxed environment with old music playing on my jukebox and we all have a sing a long at times.
These men just love getting pampered and getting together with other men. It's so important and lifts the mens spirit's. My fb is lenny the mobile barber like and share x
tamika wade
saysLenny whites this is an amazing thing to do for a people that is suffering with dementia.
we offend forget their humans too and have needs and wants like everyone else getting a hair cut might mean nothing for some but this will bounce their confidence, and help them.
this just has not changed the people with dementia but himself aswel we here at secure healthcare solutions west midlands believe thats the best help you can offer is by changing yourself in the process.
Elizabeth Owen
saysHere in Ludlow, a dementia friendly town, we have a branch of Costa. It is fairly large and has an array of table and chairs, not regimented as many I've seen and some not very loud music. It's big assets are the opening times: 6.30am to 6.30pm and its staff. My husband, with Alzheimer's ,goes there every day by himself and the staff seem to care about him. I occasionally visit and find their caring attitude very pleasing. He goes out for the newspapers each morning and then on to Costa and is happy to meet my friends who acost him, though he never knows them. I just hope he is safe without me. He has his own set of acquaintances in Costa.