Wella unicef making waves: follow david akroyd's adventure

A long-term program launched in 2010 by Wella and UNICEF in collaboration with hairstylists and clients around the world, the WELLA-UNICEF MAKING WAVES programme offers the gift of education to vulnerable young people in emerging countries. Wella believe the best thing you can offer a young person is a future. That's why they have partnered with UNICEF, the world's leading children’s organization, to bring hairdressing training, mentoring and life-skills education to these vulnerable teenagers.

Toni & Guy Franchisee, David Akroyd joined the Making Waves programme in 2015 as a mentor in Piatra Neamt, Romania, and has been hand selected to be part of an international team from the UK who will travel to Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam in September to bring hairdressing training, mentoring and life-skills education to vulnerable young teenagers.  

Two months ago I discovered that I have been lucky enough to be selected for the second year running as a mentor on this incredible project, and represent the UK and Ireland along with Colin McAndrew from Medusa in Edinburgh. This weekend I left London for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to join the rest of the mentor team representing Spain, Finland, Italy, Australia, Germany, Netherlands and the USA as well as the UK and Ireland. During my two weeks working with Wella-UNICEF Making Waves in Piatra Neamt in Romania last year I learned first-hand just how effective this programme is at delivering hairdressing education and the essential skills and support that we all take for granted back home to these vulnerable children. Skills and support that made noticeable changes to the confidence of the group and will ultimately offer the chance for them to actually use this new found confidence and skill to take some control of their lives and carve themselves a brighter future. I am excited to share our experiences with you all over the next two weeks as myself and the rest of the 2016 group of mentors work hard with Wella and UNICEF to impart as much hairdressing knowledge to this new 25-strong group of 14 to 18 year olds here in Ho Chi Minh City. As you all know, there is no industry better at sharing skill, knowledge and support as our wonderfully creative hairdressing community! Click here to find out more about Making Waves  From Ho Chi Minh, see you all soon... David x #wellallife #wellamakingwaves #wellaunicef