The Walkabout Barber rig is impressive with its bold artwork and modern barber shop fitout. It will roll into Taree on November 14 and owner, Brian Dowd and his crew will transform hair and mindsets during their inaugural visit.
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Brian is the Walkabout Barber and an indigenous man who is passionate about the place of conversation in healing individuals and communities. He says the Walkabout Barber is the first of its kind mobile barber and trauma recovery service that provides a space for cuts, connections and real conversations to take place.
He is a sought-after trauma recovery specialist with more than 16 years of experience and is one of only 42 people in Australia to hold a post graduate degree in Indigenous Trauma and Recovery.
Walkabout Barber gives people the opportunity to sit in a chair, receive a fresh cut, connect with their barber and open up conversation to do with healing, hope and happiness.
- Brian Dowd
"Walkabout Barber gives people the opportunity to sit in a chair, receive a fresh cut, connect with their barber and open up conversation to do with healing, hope and happiness," Brian said.
Local community housing provider, Compass Housing Services, is bringing the Walkabout Barber to Taree as part of a community mental health initiative, and it will set up at Queen Elizabeth Park.
The 'Community Cuts Connection and Conversation' event will see about 60 people receive haircuts during the day, and Brian will also run informal chat sessions.
Compass Housing is funding the event under the umbrella of its 'Shout Out' mental health and suicide prevention awareness program for tenants and staff.
"Shout Out is part of our broader community development programs that help tenants to improve their lives and to help them participate fully in the community," program co-ordinator Jennifer Caine said.
The Australian first program is funded by the NSW Government Suicide Prevention Fund. It includes a general awareness campaign for tenants as well as training for frontline staff and tenants to recognise and respond to suicidality and mental health issues.
Ms Caine says the event is for Compass' tenants but is also open to clients of other local community service providers.
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