An interview with spargoland about their accessibility initiative

Today is Purple Tuesday an international call to action focused on changing the customer experience for disabled people. The aim of the awareness day is to highlight the difficulties that less-abled consumers face when shopping. One in 5 people in the U.K have a disability or an impairment, which can make carrying out everyday tasks like going into town, stressful. Initiatives such as Spargoland from Spargo Hairdressing have been founded to accommodate clients that aren't comfortable in the busier salon environment. We spoke to Ian Marshall from Spargo to learn more about the initiative. What is Spargoland in one sentence? A salon for people with additional support needs, learning and physical disabilities. Why did you decide to set up Spargoland? After my nephew Oscar was born with cerebral palsy I quickly realised how difficult the world is for him and his parents. Very few placed properly cater for people with additional needs and there was no way Oscar would feel comfortable having his hair cut in high street salon. He deserved to look and feel his absolute best, as any client does and so we started Spargoland. Clients can have their hair cut however works for them. If it takes two or three appointments then this is fine; if they prefer to sit on the floor or have me cut their hair while walking, also absolutely fine. We have sensory lighting, toys in the corner and soft play spaces. The salon is exclusive use, with a private entrance, just for that client – and everyone is catered for. What do you need to be aware with when cutting and styling the hair of people with disabilities? Every client is different, and you need to assess each client for their individual needs and this is what can take the time. However, the results can be amazing, as it enables you to get it right, first time! Do your clients travel from far and wide to reach your salon? Because we are the only charity or venue of this type our clients travel amazing distances. It's quite humbling really. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Often it is the reaction of the parents, especially of young children where they have struggled to even get their child into a salon before. Recently I had a father, a 6ft carpenter, breakdown in tears with gratitude and relief as he really though his son would never have his hair cut. He’d had to leave other hairdressers and barbers before because it distressed his son so much, but we took our time and let his son dictate the pace and way we cut. The transformation was amazing, not only a smart cut but also a smiling and calm little boy – what every parent wants! What are the challenging aspects of your job? Spargoland is run as a charity and I am determined that every client pays no more for their hair cut than they would in any high street salon – regardless of how long it takes or how many appointments needed. But the challenge is fundraising to ensure all our running costs are covered and recruiting for additional stylists to work with me. Cutting the hair of people with additional support needs requires training and also the right personality. You have to understand your client and their needs before you can even discuss a style and for me, finding the right stylist to join Spargoland is crucial. Do you offer / or plan to offer any training for other hairdressers? I can’t help and service every client that needs me, so my ultimate goal is to educate our industry to the needs these clients. I want to see more salons offering a service like Spargoland – it is do-able, but it will take time. What made you want to be a hairdresser? School wasn’t really for me, and I didn’t enjoy the academic learning, so I originally trained as a builder like many of the lads I knew, but after a year I realised it wasn’t for me. Then I saw an advert in a salon window for an apprenticeship and I thought, why not – I’d get to work inside, spend the day chatting to people (which I love) and be able to be creative and use my hands. From the moment I set foot inside, I loved it and never looked back.