What is the Strength in Style project?
The Strength in Style project is a partnership between TONI&GUY and Macmillan Cancer Support being developed to provide specialist support and advice on hair care to people receiving cancer treatment and experiencing problems such as hair loss as a result. TONI&GUY stylists nationwide will be trained to offer the best hair care advice and support for people with cancer, both pre, during and post treatment.
What is the TONI&GUY Charitable Foundation?
The TONI&GUY Charitable Foundation was established in 2003 by Toni Mascolo and his wife Pauline, with the aim of supporting a number of charitable causes. To date they have been supporting the £700,000 renovation of the TONI&GUY ward, a children’s hospital ward based at The Variety Club Children’s Hospital, to make sure thousands of children get the best possible treatment for years to come and this year are expanding their support to help people affected by cancer, through Macmillan.
Why has the Strength in Style project been introduced?
TONI&GUY received nationwide feedback that there was an increasing need to provide a more comprehensive service to clients affected by cancer. With Training Academies, an expert team of trainers to hand, and a focus on training their staff to a high level in all areas of hair care, it was the natural next step for TONI&GUY to develop their salon staff to provide a tailored service for people affected by cancer.
What services will the trained TONI&GUY staff offer?
TONI&GUY stylists will be trained to provide people affected by cancer practical advice and support on hair care through all stages of hair loss and re-growth, and advice on wigs - the colouring, style and cut of the wig as well as ordering it in to the salon. It will also be possible to bring your own wig into the salon for styling by a TONI&GUY stylist.
What does the training programme involve?
The programme will comprise of two days of training. Day one will be run by Macmillan Cancer Support and will focus on the emotional impact of cancer and of the hair loss often caused by cancer treatment. This will include guidance on talking to people affected by cancer and information on the physical effects of hair loss and hair thinning. Trainers will run through case studies and scenarios to help staff get practical experience. Day two will be run by TONI&GUY Academy staff and will deal with practical hair care; this includes hair care before, during and after treatment. The stylists will also be trained to advise on and style wigs. The training will give hairdressers the confidence to deal with the psychological implications of hair loss during cancer treatment and sensitivity surrounding styling for people affected by cancer.
How many salons across the country will be taking part in the pilot?
Approximately 20 stylists from the southern regions will be trained at the London academy and approximately 20 stylists from the northern regions will be trained in the Manchester academy.
When will Strength in Style be available in TONI&GUY salons?
The Strength in Style service will be launched in March 2010 in pilot salons.
Are there any future plans to roll out the project to all salons nationwide?
Strength in Style will be launched across the UK once feedback from the pilot is gathered and any necessary developments to the initiative are made.
Is anyone eligible to book an appointment with a Strength in Style consultant?
Yes, anyone will be able to ring up a participating salon to book an appointment with a Strength in Style consultant.
(If your local salon does not have a Strength in Style consultant visit http://ow.ly/6OaAP for information on your nearest participating salon.)
How long will the consultation take?
This is dependent on the service required by the client – cutting hair short when it is falling out, choosing a wig, fitting, adjusting and trimming a wig, and hair extensions for re-growth hair all take different amounts of time, so the length of consultation will reflect that.
How much will a session cost with a Strength in Style consultant?
This is dependent on the service required and the length of time it will take to address the need of the client, as well as dependent on the individual salon, however costs will be kept as low as possible in order to help the person affected by cancer at a difficult time in their lives. TONI&GUY are negotiating discounts with wig and hair extension companies so that these products are available to the client at a more affordable price.
Will any of the sales from these appointments go back to Macmillan Cancer Support?
No TONI&GUY will be raising money for Macmillan through sales of fundraising products like key rings and through staff fundraising.
How will TONI&GUY fundraise for Macmillan Cancer Support?
TONI&GUY will be selling a range of fundraising products such as key rings for a suggested donation and collection tins will be present at salon counters. TONI&GUY will also organise national fundraising events to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
How long will the partnership between TONI&GUY and Macmillan Cancer Support exist for?
TONI&GUY and Macmillan and are committed to working together to develop long term improvements to the lives of people affected by cancer. There is no set time period for the partnership.
Where can I find information on coping with hair loss?
You can access Macmillan’s information on hair loss at www.macmillan.org.uk/hairloss or call 0808 808 00 00
Has a similar service ever been provided by a high street salon before?
A number of independent salons offer services to help support people affected by cancer. However this is the first time a nationwide chain has committed to rolling out a service in their salons to provide both men and women affected by cancer support on hair care before, during and after cancer treatment.
What is Trevor Sorbie’s My New Hair initiative?
My New hair is a charity established by Trevor Sorbie and supported by L’Oréal. My New Hair provides support for women affected by cancer. My New Hair offers advice on choosing a wig, a wig personalisation service and hair care support.
What are differences between Strength in Style and My New Hair?
Working with
- TONI&GUY are working with Macmillan Cancer Support
- My New Hair are working with L’Oréal and recently received a grant from the Department of Health
The service
- TONI&GUY offer expert hair care and advice to men, women and children affected by cancer before, during and after treatment including comprehensive advice on all aspects of cancer and support available through all Macmillan communication channels
- My New Hair offer expert hair care and advice to women only
- TONI&GUY offers information on Macmillan Cancer Support for customers in TONI&GUY salons
- My New Hair offers information for patients and NHS staff on wig styling, hair loss and re-growth
Funding
- TONI&GUY are funding the project themselves through the TONI&GUY Foundation in association with Macmillan Cancer Support
- My New Hair is supported by an £86,500 grant from the Department of Health
