BarbershopConsultationReport201

Barbershop
Birmingham
Consultation
Report
2009
Report prepared by:
Common-Unity Social Enterprise

For the community by the community in the community.
Contents Page
Context…………………………………………………………….. 3
Barbershop Programme……………………………………4
Background……………………………………………………… 5
Executive Summary…………………………………………….6
Aims/Objectives……………………………………………….. 7
Methodology……………………………………………………...8
Key findings………………………………………………………. 11
Recommendations…………………………………………….. 17
Conclusion………………………………………………………..19
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Barbershop Consultation Report/Nov12/2009/CU

For the community by the community in the community.
1. Context
1 in 4 people in our population suffers from mental health problems.
This figure increases dramatically for people of different backgrounds
and cultures. For men, especially young black men, the percentage is
even higher. With well-known facts like these, innovative approaches
have to be developed within health and social care to effectively
engage those in need of services.
The Barbershop Birmingham Programme is a ground-breaking
approach that proposes to engage African-Caribbean and Asian Men
across Birmingham on the subject of mental health in its widest possible
sense.
Though still in its infancy, the publication to date has received plaudits
from a range of stakeholder organisations’ and the general public
across Birmingham. There is a clear need to further develop the project
to meet local aspirations. It can do this by being an effective tool in:
• Raising awareness around mental health to this target group
• Promoting the concept of mental health as everybody’s business
• Ensuring the target population is more likely to be aware of and
engage with the appropriate support services in situations where
mental health issues may occur
• Supporting a wider cultural understanding of mental health issues
for the target population and the wider community
• Engaging the target audience as owners of the Barbershop
through a range of training, vocational and developmental
opportunities by signing up to the programme as participants
• Challenging the stigma and discrimination experienced by
people with mental health problems in today’s society.
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For the community by the community in the community.
2. Barbershop Programme
2010 - 2011
Step 1
Develop the
Barbershop Magazine
and distribute across
PAN Birmingham
BARBERSHOP STEP
APPROACH
Step 2
Identification of
voluntary organisations
to deliver appropriate
(media) training
Step 3
Community volunteers
producing Barbershop
Magazine on a
quarterly basis
Step 4
Barbershop Social
Enterprise
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For the community by the community in the community.
3. Background
The Barbershop is a community magazine aimed at promoting
dialogue on issues related to mental health that is specifically targeted
at young BME men in areas of high deprivation. In particular, it targets
those men who are least likely to engage with health, social care and
mental health promoting therapeutic opportunities. – Namely, BME
men who are caught up in the criminal justice system, or are drug users,
gang members, not in employment, not in further education, not
engaging with society and not having an awareness of how to best
engage with their mental health. It has a multi-cultural focus addressing
issues of faith, culture and race in mental health and promotes an
understanding and co-operation between communities.
Barbershop features topical articles, personal accounts, interviews with
senior managers and chief executives, poetry, artwork and unique
comic book case studies of real life experiences of mental health at a
level which engages appropriately and hits the target with the
messages it provides. It also features people’s stories, graphic novels,
and service profiles in addition to information on mental health, using a
more urban format to appeal to younger men.
The Barbershop magazine is a community magazine, which involves
local artists, writers, service users and community groups in developing
its contents. It is for the community by the community in the
community.
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For the community by the community in the community.
4. Executive Summary
This report focuses on effective engagement with the local community
across PAN Birmingham on issues relating to mental health.
It gives an insight into the first phase of the Barbershop Programme built
on the progressive development of the community based initiative that
is for the community by the community in the community through the
publication of the Barbershop magazine.
The development of this magazine is the very first step towards the
creation of the intended social enterprise.
The Barbershop consultation revealed that:
• The methodology used illustrated effective engagement.
• The findings revealed that the participants were able to identify
the issues discussed through the drama based production, live
poetry and interactive workshop.
• The recommendations outlined the next steps required to move
the Barbershop programme forward.
In conclusion the proposed Barbershop programme commencing with
the production of the Barbershop Magazine proved to be the best way
forward with the participants. At the end of the consultation event the
organisers recruited and signed up twenty volunteers through the
expression of interest.
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For the community by the community in the community.
5. Aims/Objectives
The Birmingham Barbershop Steering Group commissioned Common-
Unity Social Enterprise to co-ordinate a one day consultation event to
gather the views and perspectives from its targeted audience in
regards to the magazine.
Common-Unity Social Enterprise provides a personalised community
engagement provision which supports the mental well-being for Black
& Minority Ethnic communities. Common-Unity addresses issues faced
by communities in regards to health inequalities and engage with
individual community groups in authentic ways which embraces &
celebrates people’s differences.
Objectives:
I. To Gain an understanding of what appropriate development
opportunities need to be considered for this programme to best
develop in line with the needs of the target communities.
II. To Gauge what processes needed to be put in place so to recruit
members of the relevant local communities to run the project with
the overall long term aim of this being completely community run
within two years.
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For the community by the community in the community.
6. Methodology
The methodology for the Barbershop Consultation centred on different
ways of using the community arts such as drama, poetry and film to
deliver some key messages. The consultation approach included focus
groups, community performance, interactive workshops and a touch
screen questionnaire. This approach offered more interaction with the
participations and was deemed as more engaging.
Film from Barbershop Preston
The film by Barbershop Preston gave the background and history
directly from the founders of the Barbershop Magazine. The film
formed the backdrop for the event and captured the Journey of
Barbershop before it came to Birmingham. It gave the participants
the opportunity to hear why the magazine came about and why it
targeted Afro-Caribbean & South Asian men.
Focus Group (Barber’s Den)
The Barber’s Den gave the audience the opportunity to have an
overview of the concept of the Barbershop magazine. This part of
the event was scripted and presented by Body Symphony Drama
Group. The actors from the drama group played the role of
community members. Stephen Lewis (Editor of Barbershop
Birmingham) and Ibrar Uddin (Barbershop Steering Group) came
into the Barber’s Den to sell the concept of barbershop past,
present and potential future.
Performance
Aeon and Evoke (A&E) are poets and performing artists. They use
drama, poetry and spoken word to spread the message and aim is
to "Resuscitate positive thinking".
(A&E) delivered a drama piece that highlighted some of the real
issues that young Black and Asian men faced in today’s society
which is having a pertinent impact on their mental health.
Dreadlock Alien is a community poet who uses a hip hop dub flow
verse delivery of words and concepts to address the social issues
such as identity, citizenship etc. He energises, empower and amplify
the often unheard. He delivered several rap style poems which
involved the organisations and individuals who attended.
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For the community by the community in the community.
Interactive Workshops
The interactive workshops provided the opportunity for the
participants to give their views and perspective on edition 1 & 2 of
the magazine. Two keys questions were presented to the
participants:
≈ Their views on the two editions
≈ How they would like to see the magazine developed
The attendees were given post-it notes and were able to put down
as many comments as they wished then place them on the relevant
flip chart. The facilitators grouped the post it by themed responses
and pulled-out the key elements to feedback at the end of the
workshops. The five top priorities were determined and agreed by
each group which assisted in forming the development focus for the
future of the magazine.
Touch Screen
The electronic touch screen system was programmed with a
selection of 8-10 specific questions in relation to the ethnicity,
gender, local residence to the Heart of Birmingham area. There
were some questions which would allow us to capture the views of
individuals in regards to their awareness and views of mental ill
health and the use of the Barbershop magazine to promote wellbeing
in a more creative way. Each participant had an opportunity
throughout the day to answer the pre-programmed questions.
Live Interviews
The live interviews were broadcasted by Rhubarb Radio; the
participants were interviewed throughout the event and were able
to give their personal views and recommendations.
Expression of Interest
Expression of interest form will be available at the event and also in
the delegate packs. The delegate will be encouraged throughout
the day to complete forms if they would like to get involved with the
magazine.
Complimentary Activities
Community Barbers
Two community barbers shut up shop for the day in order to provide
free hairs cut throughout the day.
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For the community by the community in the community.
Therapy
Positive Inpact is a social Enterprise that promotes positive mental
well-being by using complimentary therapies to enhance
individual’s recovery. Positive Inpact provided a wide range of
therapies throughout the day such as Indian Head massages,
reflexology, acupuncture etc.
Information Stalls
The information stalls that were present all promoted health & wellbeing
which was in line with the theme of the day. The interactive
session gave people the opportunity to explore the other
organisation and created a networking platform.
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For the community by the community in the community.
7. Key Findings
Focus Group (Barber’s Den)
The focus group was made up of young community members. The
community panel were able to ask some direct key questions about
the magazine and get an immediate response from the editors.
It was a different of delivering the factual information about the
magazine, and it drummed up a lot of interest from the younger
people in the audience and helped people to understand the whole
concept of the Barbershop Magazine.
Quote: “The focus group asked questions that I wanted answering about the
Barbershop magazine”.
(Andrew age 27)
Performance
The drama piece by Aeon & Evoke generated a captive response
from the audience. The verbal feedback from the participations was
that most people could relate to the situation and knew a relative,
friend or partner that was in a similar position.
Quote: “I have a close friend who has been struggling with the problems in his
life, he uses class (A) drugs to block things out, it has left him borrowing money
from other around him and he has now develop mental health issues. He is caught
up in a viscous cycle which he can not get out of without some help & support”.
(Nathan age 21)
Interactive Workshops
The workshops generated some good debate and seemed full of
opinions and views. The participant eagerly put their comments on
the post it notes which soon filled the board. The feedback that was
gathered is as follows:
Quote: “I felt the interactive workshop really gave people the opportunity to give
their views and opinions in a way that everyone could contribute”.
(Sandra age 39)
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For the community by the community in the community.
1) Additional content:
50
40
30
20
10
0
Agony Uncle
Men's Health
Street Issues
Info & Support for
Families
Arts/Drama/Music
Women's Issues
1a) There were a number of comments relating to men’s health, more
support for families in regards to mental health, more stories on street
related issues and having an agony uncle section came out very
popular. Some individuals mentioned that they would like to see more
information around music, arts and drama but were not specific.
2) Articles relating to mental health:
50
40
30
20
10
0
Personal Stories
More MH
Information
MH
Professional/Medica
tion
2a) The feedback from the participants in regards to mental health was
based on three areas; they would like to have more articles on
personal journeys and how they started back on the road to recovery.
They would like more information on mental health that may give them
guidance i.e. medication and get some views from the mental health
professionals in regards to their roles.
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For the community by the community in the community.
3) More representation:
50
40
30
20
10
Colleges/Uni
Older people
More BME
communities
Young People
0
3a) The participants gave a number of different ideas on
representation, the main areas were around having more
involvement from colleges & universities. They felt there could be
more Black and Ethnic Minority communities’ issues to give a wider
spectrum and make the magazine more inclusive. They were some
comments in relation to issues around older and younger people.
4) Marketing, Promotion and Design:
40
30
20
10
Colour/Contrast
Font Size
Marketing &
Distribution
Des ign
0
4a) The comments on the design of the magazine were not at the
forefront of the feedback. The main comments were about the
colour and font size, some people felt the colour on some pages
made the article difficult to read. The font size was too small which
made it off putting to read. There were some requests and queries
about the distribution of the magazine and individuals wanted to see
the magazine in more locations across PAN Birmingham.
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For the community by the community in the community.
Key Development Areas:
Top priority areas for the Yellow Workshop
Views on Edition 1 & 2:
≈ Layout
≈ Sign Posting
≈ Personal Stories
≈ Involves local people
≈ Culturally appropriate and reaches out to young people
Development of the magazine:
≈ Links with local schools and colleges
≈ Agony uncle page
≈ Larger focus on men’s health
≈ Medication and side effects (Listing symptoms/effects
≈ Different formats, colour/contrast
Top priority areas from the White Workshop.
Views on Edition 1 & 2:
≈ Collaborate with more groups to promote barbershop
≈ Colour – 4 out of 5 (good). Content – 3 out of 5 (not wide
enough. Style 5 out of 5 (fantastic)
≈ Focus on men and how they view their relations with 1) family 2)
partners
≈ Well-being/cultural issues/have a feature with a character who
‘RANTS’ at issues relevant/ narratives
≈ I think the agony uncle idea was a good idea
Development of the magazine:
≈ Looking at dementia, Alzheimer in older people (part of mental
health)
≈ More paparazzi style pictures, gives it more of a real feel
≈ Like to see natural health supplements for men in this magazine,
breakdown what supplement are good for what issues they have
≈ Involve older age group
≈ How mental health affects the family, where can family
members go for support
≈ Needs to be a bit more widely distributed
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For the community by the community in the community.
Touch Screen
The interactive touch screen was able to monitor the ethnicity,
Gender, Knowledge & awareness of mental health and helped to
identify the participant’s residency in relations to the Heart of
Birmingham. The following areas are shown in the charts below:
Ethnicity:
Gender:
100
80
60
40
20
0
Afro-
Caribbean
South Asian
Other
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Male
Fem ale
Mental Health Knowledge and Location:
60
50
40
30
20
Local Resident to HOB
Area
Awareness about MH
10
0
Expression of Interest:
20
15
10
Male
Fem ale
5
0
15
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For the community by the community in the community.
Live Interviews
Rhubarb Radio interviews proved to be very popular with the
participants; it gave people the opportunity for them to express
themselves in an alterative way. It allowed the participant with poor
literacy skills to give their views without having to write them down in
the interactive workshop session. The Barbershop Consultation Event
was placed on The Rhubarb Radio web-site as a live podcast.
Individuals were able to log onto the web-site and listen to different
aspects of the event.
Community Barbers & Therapy
The complimentary activities added a personalised touch that gave
participants a pampered feel.
Quote: “I really enjoyed the day, I was entertained, I was able to get my hair cut, I
had an Indian head massage and the day ended with some real good food. It also
offered me the old style community spirit that many communities have loss”.
(George age 42)
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For the community by the community in the community.
8. Recommendations
1. The Barber Shop magazine aims to become a service user led
community magazine and to do this it will need to be delivered
by a social enterprise. Barbershop will need to identify and
commission a local social enterprise to support community
members and service users to develop their own social enterprise
in order to produce the magazine independently.
2. The Barbershop steering group write out to the volunteer who
have registered an interest in being more involved with the
Barbershop programme. This will make them aware of what will
happen next, keep them informed and avoid them losing
interest.
3. The magazine will need to have maximum involvement from
volunteers within the community for the project to continue to
progress forward. Their recruitment drive for volunteers will need
to be effective and proactive. Recognising that there may be
some skill gaps and limited knowledge amongst the volunteers,
Barbershop Birmingham will need to be able to offer or sign post
service user and community members to media training.
4. The magazine needs to be distributed to a wider audience
across Birmingham, in order to do this it will need to reduce the
cost of producing the magazine to produce a larger quantity of
copies. This can be achieved by localising the production of the
magazine and bringing all the printing, proof reading, layout and
design from Preston to Birmingham.
5. The Barbershop magazine needs to engage with more young
Asian men and Black men in the community. A planned
Barbershop Community Road Show that focuses on key
geographical locations will take barbershop Birmingham into
the heart of where their targeted audience congregates such as
community centres, sport facilities, social centres etc. This will
allow barbershop to engage with people in surroundings that is
less intimidating and more familiar to them, recruit members,
have more involvement from people who are under represented
and it will market & promote the magazine more effectively
across PAN Birmingham.
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For the community by the community in the community.
6. The consultation highlighted some key development areas one
of which was the need to develop a similar magazine like the
Barbershop for women. The Barbershop steering group needs to
start exploring the possibility for a female version and aim to do a
pilot a magazine to South Asian & Black women and monitor the
up-take.
7. The consultation highlight a number of things around the
following areas:
≈ Content
≈ Colour
≈ PR & marketing
Most of the comments were of a positive nature but some
identified ways in which could enhance the magazine further. At
this point the Barbershop steering group should carry out a
review on the above areas before approaching the local
organisation that may be commissioned to undertake the
printing, design and layout.
8. Another main area that was gathered from the feedback and
was chosen as the top priority areas at the interactive workshop
session was representation from the following:
≈ A more diverse age range
≈ More involvement from schools, universities, colleges
≈ Other health related issues
≈ More local street issues
The Barbershop steering group will need to plan the future editions of
the magazines to incorporate some of the identified areas that have
been suggested by the community.
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For the community by the community in the community.
9. Conclusion
The Barbershop Birmingham Programme is a comprehensive and
innovative approach to ensuring a business pathway to create a social
enterprise. It is specifically focus on mental health that is developed by
service users, run by them in their own community.
The consultation event was an excellent way of gathering the views of
individuals from the community, although the audience reflected some
of the targeted groups there was an under represented from young
Asian men. However, the South Asian men that were present at the
event did express the need for Barbershop to strategically plan to go
out to a number of key locations across the geographical areas of
Birmingham to raise the Barbershop magazine in more areas that has a
high population of Asian men.
The Barbershop is not just a magazine; the programme has a number
of benefits to individuals and communities on a whole:
• Therapy
• Engagement
• Social Inclusion
• Employment
• Training and Development
• Education
• Mental Health Awareness
• Opportunities to those who may have a criminal record
Mental health is everybody’s business and there is still the need to
continue challenging myths and stigma in this area. The Barbershop
programme will inevitable help to change the views and opinions of
people in regards to mental health and may open doors to a new
future for service users. It offers a structure that will enable and support
them to take responsibility of their own growth and development.
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For the community by the community in the community.
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Barbershop Consultation Report/Nov12/2009/CU