Goondir Health Services has partnered with Origin Energy to deliver an innovative project that combines traditional barber experiences with counselling services.
The Wunna Yarn, Wunna Cut Barber Shop program was officially launched at Tara Hospital on 28 February, accompanied by stalls, lunch, coffee and Rugby League legend Steve Renouf.
Goondir Health Services’ Wunna Yarn, Wunna Cut Barber Shop has been supported thanks to $115,000 in funding from Origin — the upstream operator of Australia Pacific LNG.
The funded program provides a novel approach to supporting clients, lowering barriers to services by taking them to Community to deliver social and emotional wellbeing and mental health counselling via a mobile barber with counselling expertise.
Goondir Health Services CEO Floyd Leedie said the service would help make the region’s menfolk feel good on the inside, while looking good on the outside.
“We’re trying to lower the barriers to essential services for young men, not only are we bringing counselling and referral services to our youth, we’re doing it in an environment which encourages their engagement.”
Mr Leedie said the initiative had already been successfully piloted in the region with an external contractor, which demonstrated demand for the program.
“The program aims to empower clients to feel good on the outside as well as the inside,” he said.
“At its core, this program is a trauma recovery and suicide prevention service, offering males of all ages the opportunity to sit in a chair, get a fresh cut, and open up conversations with their barber, followed by two group counselling sessions to those that want to attend after each half day of hair cutting sessions.
“It also provides an opportunity to support and link clients, who may not usually be inclined to access support, in with other referral pathways and services.”
Mr Leedie was quick to praise Wunna Yarn, Wunna Cut Barber Shop’s Chris Cole in his role as counsellor, and giver of fresh fades.
“All the young men loved it,” Mr Leedie said.
“They were all saying that they would tell other young men in the community about Wunna Yarn, Wunna Cut Barber Shop, so when Chris begins visiting the towns of the region, I’m sure he’s going to be a busy man.”
The funding for the program was used to purchase a fully fitted out mobile barber cabin and the annual lease of a Dodge Ram truck to transport it.
Origin General Manager Asset East Steve Thatcher said Origin was proud to support initiatives that assist in the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander communities.
“We aim to work responsibly and respectfully with our local communities and to identify opportunities for Origin and our employees to make a positive difference.”
