Hannah Meen-Ward, a 2nd Year Apprentice Hairdresser at Peterborough Regional College, was honoured with 2 awards at the Cambridgeshire Big Skill Awards. Hannah (aged 19) won the Skills for the Community award and was highly commended in the 17-19 Learner category for her involvement and work with young people with disabilities in the local area. Hannah has combined voluntary work, NVQ Level 2 hairdressing studies and a full-time job at Spencer's Hair Salon, in Park Road, Peterborough.
Hannah Meen-Ward, a 2nd Year Apprentice Hairdresser at Peterborough Regional College, was honoured with 2 awards at the Cambridgeshire Big Skill Award. Hannah was presented with her award and certificates at Peterborough Town Hall by BBC sports broadcaster Ray Stubbs.
Hannah (aged 19) won the Skills for the Community award and was highly commended in the 17-19 Learner category for her involvement and work with young people with disabilities in the local area. Hannah has combined voluntary work, NVQ Level 2 Hairdressing studies and a full-time job at Spencer's Hair Salon, in Park Road, Peterborough.
Hannah became involved in supporting and raising awareness of young people with disabilities and learning difficulties through her current employer Liza Schwarz of Spencer’s Hair Salon. Liza’s 10-year-old son Spencer has disabilities and he has been Liza’s inspiration. Liza felt that the city needed a salon which especially catered for clients with disabilities or who have children with disabilities. Liza designed the salon thinking about wheelchair access and installed sensory equipment for those with learning difficulties and a picture based communication system so clients with special needs could communicate with the stylists using pictures. Liza wanted to offer a service with a difference, a comfortable accommodating space for people to visit and for them to feel pampered and special.
Hannah embraced Liza’s passion by pro-actively becoming involved in fundraising for local charities and schools who specialise in providing support for young people with disabilities. This then led onto regularly visiting schools giving classes on shaving, personal care and promoting independence and completing hairdressing skills. Hannah has also taken a lead in mentoring young people with disabilities when they complete work experience at the salon. Hannah has been a fantastic asset to such a new business and has supported Liza by taking on extra responsibilities and duties within the salon - Liza is confident that Hannah could take on the day to day running and managing of the salon in her absence.
Hannah has performed extremely well at college especially in her practical competencies and has excellent communication and consultation skills which client s often comment and praise her on.
Hannah said: “ I feel honoured to win such an award and it has given me a real confidence boost, it proves that working hard does pay off, the more you put in the more you get out. I would not have been able to do it without the support from the college and my manager Liza”.
So what’s next for Hannah? “I hope to build more of a clientele and become the best that I can be, I would like to take a management role within the salon and continue the good work that the salon does. I am looking forward to returning to studying in the future, I would like to get my NVQ Level 3 in hairdressing and my assessor award’.
Liza is entering Hannah for the junior of the year award run through the hairdresser’s journal.
Lisa said: "Hannah has done so much to help raise awareness about disability issues, and the time she gives to helping young people means an awful lot to them. She is a model apprentice and she certainly deserves recognition. All of Hannah’s work colleagues are very proud of her two awards and feel she is very worthy of these. Many people find it very difficult when working with people with disabilities as they unsure how to approach them and help them on their way. Hannah has a natural flair for this and has lots of time and patience. Hannah has only just finished her studying and is now mentoring other pupils, which is a great achievement. I have also nominated Hannah for the junior of the year award that is run by the Hairdressers Journal, I think Hannah will make a great hairdresser and is excellent with all of our clients; I am looking forward to working with her and seeing her improve her skills over the next few years. Hannah has had lots of support from Peterborough Regional College and any problems she has encountered have been sorted quickly, they have encouraged her and supported her throughout her training. We are now looking for a new apprentice to take Hannah’s place with the support of the College.”
