I qualified in 1986 in the hairdressing industry. My training started at West Ham College East London, where I completed my City and Guilds qualification. I worked in Stratford, East London, for 4 years then went on to work in Brentwood Essex, where I managed a salon for many years. Since leaving Essex I have been self employed in salon. I opened Spencer’s Hair salon in March 2008. In my hairdressing career I have completed many courses including Wella colour workshops in London studio, Hair extensions, ear piercing, eyelash extensions, full body waxing and Turkish hot towel shaves. 

I opened Spencer’s Hair Salon in 2008 and LH Hair Design in 2017. My vision was very simple: to offer a bespoke service to the community that would be inclusive for all. Spencer’s Hair Salon is named after my special needs son Spencer, who is my inspiration in all I do. Having got over so many hurdles himself after a gene mutation diagnosis, I began to realise my dream was to open my own salon and realise that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it.  

We commenced with our fundraising in 2008 and have raised in excess of £170,000 through various fundraisers for local and national charities (e.g. Phoenix School, Little Miracles, Circles Network, Great Ormond Street Hospital etc.). Through this fundraising it brings disability awareness to my clients and to the wider community, all achieved via a small fundraising committee made up from my client base.

The events we have held to date include full hair shaving for myself, my family and clients, the annual Spencer’s Ball (which over 200 people attend), various party nights, cake sales, bike rides, keep fit-a-thons and outdoor swimming challenges to name but a few. All our staff and clients contribute in some way to these initiatives (after a little cajoling that is!).

This takes a huge amount of time to organise and execute but all my clients and staff seem to love the bespoke difference we make for our community.

All this activity has led to a substantial amount of local and national PR, including regular activity in local newspapers and magazines, interviews on local radio and even national coverage on the BBC.

The One Show on BBC1 featured myself and Spencer’s in October last year as part of their One Big Thank You Feature when they sent the celebrity Mark Wright to surprise me with their award.

Spencer’s Hair Salon is a comparatively small business, yet we do all this because it genuinely comes from the heart and not as part of some big business corporate CSR policy. We care about ensuring that special needs individuals are included in community activities, and we continue to raise awareness of the difficulties this brings.

We also wanted to offer work experience placements for those with disabilities which we have continued with down the years, and we work alongside support workers to bring out the best in every individual no matter how small the task can be it will help that person achieve to the best of their ability.

At the salon, we specialise in working with all levels of disability and we have extra wide bays / wheelchair access, and we accommodate quiet appointments at the end of day for those clients who cannot tolerate a noisy environment. In addition, we offer our services at care homes for elderly and for those with disability that cannot manage a salon environment.

Please find below some recent examples of our PR:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg677q674d4o

https://newsbywire.com/mum-of-son-with-learning-disabilities-gets-special-thank-you-on-bbcs-the-one-show/

https://www.espmag.co.uk/post/peterborough-hairdresser-receives-one-big-thank-you

https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/people/upf3b-syndrome-peterborough-man-among-just-50-people-in-the-country-diagnosed-with-rare-condition-4242450

https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/people/peterborough-fundraisers-going-the-extra-mile-for-spencer-4091644

https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/devoted-peterborough-mum-raises-incredible-aps80000-for-sons-special-school-561792

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/cambridgeshire/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9110000/9110144.stm

Please find below some examples of awards that we have won since the opening of Spencer’s:

•    The Caring and Compassionate award for The HAAB Honours Ball

•    The award for Work in the Community, this was presented by the Mayor Irene Walsh

•    The Fundraiser of the Year award by Peterborough Evening Telegraph, voted by local readers

•    East of England’s Best Shave awarded by Blue Beards Revenge and Barber

•    Winner of the Courage Award at ‘Mumpreneur’

Marie Ann is our self employed Senior Artistic Designer, she works Tuesday Thursday and Saturdays. Other days can be booked by request.

Diane qualified in 1987, she works part time and also teaches at Peterborough college part time. Appointments by request.

Roshna qualified in 1993, she works part time Wednesday Friday and Saturdays. Roshna enjoys all aspects of hairdressing and is extremely bubbly and welcoming towards clients, she also enjoys meeting new clients, ensuring that they are comfortable in the salon. 

Ayane works on Saturdays, currently studying her A-Levels at Bourne Grammar School. she ensures that the salon is always in the best condition, cleaning display products, maintaing stock orders, sweeping and cleaning the floors and delivering refreshments to our clients. she is extremely helpful and resourceful, and always ensures to greet clients with a smile, making sure that all clients needs are met.