Unique training hairdressing salon scoops two national awards
Hair At The Academy has been named as winning, not one but two categories in the National Collective Prides Awards! Mary Pugsley MBE is the winner of ‘Exceptional Educator’ and Tyler Gray takes the award for ‘Against the Odds’ at the brand-new Collective Pride Awards, sponsored by Professional Beauty.
The Collective Pride Awards launched by mental wellbeing and suicide prevention charity ‘The Lions Barber Collective’, recognise the hard work of unsung hair and beauty heroes across the UK, who not only deliver exceptional services day in, day out but go the extra mile to help others in a time of need, genuinely making a difference to someone’s life.
Tom Chapman, founder of The Lions Barber Collective said: “After losing award-winning barber, LBC Ambassador and friend Sam Wall to suicide in 2020, I wanted to keep his name alive by celebrating those who look after their clients in local communities, going above and beyond, making a real difference. Mary and Tyler are recognised for the phenomenal work they’ve been doing within the industry; work like theirs is the reason the Collective Pride Awards were born.”
Unique in the UK, Hair At The Academy takes vulnerable young people with complex needs, from all kinds of backgrounds or circumstances into learning a new trade, supporting them towards completion of work-ready qualifications, delivering an extensive suite of learning, including hairdressing, barbering, customer service, and Maths & English. The exclusive training programme results in an impressive 95% of students going onto further education or paid employment and the academy has its own counsellor and social worker as part of the team.
Senior state registered hairdresser (SSRH), Mary Pugsley MBE, set up Hair At The Academy in 2004. The core of the business model is ‘Education to Employment, inspiring vulnerable young people to achieve.’ Mary says: “If learners can’t learn the way we teach then, we teach the way they learn: Working with students on a 1:1 basis, we create an individual, personal, and rewarding journey, going way beyond expectations, and providing a 52-week provision.” She adds: “I’m over the moon to receive this award and feel so humble, but I couldn’t have done it without the unwavering support of my amazing team.”
Tyler Gray has been named winner of ‘Against the Odds’ in the Collective Pride Awards. Constantly bullied and misunderstood at school, he battled with mental health issues before enrolling at Hair@TheAcademy on a Level 2 award in the hair and beauty sector aged just 15. Six years on, through 1:1 training, ongoing care, and support, he's grown in confidence, and proud to be working at the academy as a tutor, wanting to give back to help other students achieve their goals. This incredible young man is also a part-time carer at a special needs home, supporting adults with severe mental Meath issues.
Hearing the news he is a winner in the National Collective Prides Awards Tyler said: “I’m so grateful to Hair@theAcademy for all the team’s ongoing support and encouragement and for being a winner in the prestigious National Collective Prides Awards means the world to me. It’s been an incredible journey.”
Hair@theAcademy.co.uk
