Julie, part of the hairdressing team at Workbridge, celebrates a big milestone today - 20 years working for Workbridge and St Andrew's Healthcare!
Julie started her career with St Andrew's Healthcare on this day (1st November) in 1999. After training as a hairdresser at college and finding work experience with a local salon, Julie decided to take her career into healthcare, pampering patients with her range of hair styles, cuts and treatments. 20 years on, Julie is a much loved and respected member of the Workbridge family. Our hair salon, known internally as "Cut Above" has been in existence for many years, serving patients and staff across St Andrew's Healthcare. This includes work placements for patients and volunteering roles in the salon.
Hear from Julie about her first day, career highlights and what it's like to run a hair salon as part of a specialist mental health care service.
Tell us about your first day at St Andrew’ Healthcare, 20 years ago?
I joined St Andrew’s Healthcare on 1st November 1999 and Workbridge 7 years ago. I remember being really nervous! It was my first proper job after college. I was very quiet but my boss at the time was great. I didn’t know much about St Andrew’s Healthcare or mental health care if I'm honest, but I shadowed my boss around the wards for many months and got to know everybody.
What’s been the highlight of your career for you?
Over the years all the hairdressers have had a real close bond. Along with volunteers, we laugh so much and feed off one another.
Give us an insight into hairdressing with Workbridge at St Andrew’s Healthcare?
Our hair salon visits the wards and offers a professional hair salon service to patients. Patients and staff also come to our salon inside the main building at St Andrew’s Healthcare. I particularly love working with people with dementia. When you offer a person with dementia a chair and begin to cut their hair, they completely relax. There’s a sense of calm and the feeling that they’ve always known what to do and how to act. You sometimes get a glimpse of a smile in the mirror too. That’s really rewarding.
I think haircuts do make a difference to your outlook. At the end of the day, a trim or style makes you feel fresh and you come away feeling more positive.
Will you be celebrating 20 years with family and friends?
I’m having a small get together with a few people. It’s definitely a milestone to celebrate!
Read more: Getting to know Ben Murray, Vocational Skills Instructor
