From high streets to hair salons, supermarkets to stations, Samaritans has got the nation working on its listening skills for The Big Listen on 24th July.
Tom Chapman, Founder of The Lions Barber Collective and International Barber teamed up with Samaritans to help raise awareness and promote the importance of listening to one another. Tom Chapman said “We, as barbers are in such a privilege position behind the chair. We often make a huge difference to our clients without even knowing the impact we may have had”
Mental health campaigners Jonny Benjamin MBE and Neil Laybourn, whose friendship came from Neil taking time to listen to Jonny when he felt suicidal, showed their support by going for a quick trim at Samaritan’s pop-up barber’s at King’s Cross station.
Hairdressers across the UK are backing the campaign to get everyone downloading Samaritans’ SHUSH! Listening Tips and taking time to let others talk. With an estimated 2,000 hours a year each spent listening to clients, they know the difference to people’s lives it makes.
Jonny Benjamin MBE said: “The simple and human act of listening is so important and it makes such a difference.”
Neil Laybourn said: It’s great that we are working together to raise awareness of the importance of listening and providing support for people in their communities.
Cutting Jonny’s hair was Tom Chapman from the Lions Barber Collective, an international group of top barbers who’ve come together to raise awareness to prevent suicide. Tom Chapman said: “We are stronger together and the more we can join up and get the message out about how crucial listening is, the better.”
Samaritans’ The Big Listen also has support from leading celebrity hairdresser, Verona White, who stopped by to style Neil’s hair. Verona White said: Everyone needs someone to talk to and it’s not always family. A good listener will let people talk and read the person and be responsive, it’s not about giving advice.”
More than 150 events are being held across the UK to mark The Big Listen, timed for 24 July (24/7) to reflect the round the clock support Samaritans offers to anyone feeling overwhelmed. Hairdresser and Gogglebox star Stephen Webb is also backing The Big Listen, along with Haircuts4Homeless, who give their time and skills for free to people who are homeless or living rough.
Volunteers have also been out in force over the weekend sharing with the public the importance of being a good listener and giving out Samaritans’ SHUSH! Listening Tips. Up and down the country, iconic buildings are being lit up green in support of Samaritans’ campaign to get us all listening more.
Samaritans’ CEO Ruth Sutherland said: “Three times more people die by suicide than from road accidents. Samaritans volunteers are trained to be good listeners, but this is a skill we can all learn. Many hairdressers are naturally good listeners and many more people can learn those skills too. I’m grateful to Jonny, Neil, Tom, Verona and everyone at Lions Barber Collective and Haircuts4Homeless for helping get that message out there. Together we will save lives.”
You can find out more about The Big Listen and Samaritans’ SHUSH! Listening Tips at www.samaritans.org or on Facebook www.facebook.com/samaritanscharity or follow the activity @samaritans on Twitter, using the hashtag #TheBigListen.
For further information or interview requests, contact
Tom Chapman – 01803 327242 – tomchapmanhairdesign@gmail.com
Samaritans’ press office on 020 8394 8300 or press@samaritans.org.
Picture caption: (l to r) Tom Chapman, Jonny Benjamin MBE, Verona White, Neil Laybourn