A dad who learned how to style his children’s hair after their mum was diagnosed with cancer wants to pass on his skills and teach men in similar situations.
Former primary school teacher Andy Robinson, 45, runs Rossendale Men’s Sheds at Haslingden Community Link to support and empower men in the community.
The 45-year-old was inspired to launch the ‘Dads n Hair’ classes after he had to teach himself how to care for his own children’s hair when his wife was having chemotherapy.
He said: “When my daughter was born, soon after I found out my wife had cancer so I had to do the childcare.
"Washing, ironing, stuff like that I could do that but my kids’ hair – not a chance.
“I used to be a primary school teacher for 14 years and you’d get kids coming in and you’d speak to parents and say ‘your daughter’s hair a bit of a mess today’ and they’d say ‘yeah, they’ve been at dads.’
“So I’m in a position where I’ve got the money from lottery funding where I can put something on for dads to teach them because I wish it was there when I needed it.”
Haslingden Community Link have partnered with two other organisations in Rossendale and secured a three year National Lottery grant of £109,000 which is being used to fund the Dads n Hair classes.
Despite the name, the classes welcome anyone from grandads to mums who want to learn more about how to style their children’s’ hair.
Rossendale Men’s Shed has run two classes which were so popular, Andy has decided to run another two in April which are free to sign up for.
Sharing the positive impact the classes have had, Andy said: “I’ve been sent pictures by the dads of their daughters hair when they’ve been getting ready for school saying ‘look what I did mate’.
"A lot of have said they’d pay money for this because it’s a fantastic idea and they’ve really benefitted from them.
“A lot of people have also said it’s been a good bonding exercise with their daughter so it’s been going really well.”
The classes will be held at Haslingden Community Link on Bury Road and will take place from 10am to 11.30am on Saturday, April 15, and Saturday, April 22.
There are ten spaces available for each class. To sign up to Dads n Hair call 01706 230116.
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