Down Syndrome Ireland and The Grafton Barber marked their strong partnership with a video showcasing employees with Down syndrome.
Through the National Employment Programme, The Grafton Barber have collaborated with Down Syndrome Ireland in training and employing 10 individuals with Down syndrome.
Siobhan Ronan runs the Grafton Barber School of Excellence, which trains students for the barbering industry. Siobhan said that training and working with people with Down syndrome has been ‘amazing’ and ‘a great experience’ and that the employees with Down syndrome have been ‘really brilliant, great fun, and had a great skillset’ to offer.
The partnership began in 2021. There have been three rounds of training dedicated to people with Down syndrome with six students in each training course, and as a result, there are now 10 people with Down syndrome employed by The Grafton Barber.
Fionn, Nathan, Darren and Stephen are all employed by the barbers across multiple salons in Dublin; Grafton Street, Sutton, Malahide and Stillorgan, respectively. Click the image below to learn about their experience so far with The Grafton Barber.
Assisting in a barbers is a very important role. Fionn spoke about the importance of the role; “I am very busy, I work very hard, it has been a great opportunity for me and I hope to get a promotion.”
Stephen recommends anyone who wants to work in The Grafton Barber to prepare; “get your CV ready, it is a great place to work”.
Darren loves to help out in the barbers and chatting to the customers; “I like to chat to them and tell them they got a nice haircut”.
Nathan enjoys meeting the children that come into the barbers, he helps them to feel less nervous for their haircuts by giving them advice and bringing them lollypops; “I tell them to be happy, don’t panic, and I make them laugh”
It is great to have such a strong collaboration with a great brand like The Grafton Barber. Down Syndrome Ireland look forward to continuing this great partnership going forward.
For more information on the National Employment Programme, contact Aoife Gaffney, Head of Employment Aoife@downsyndrome.ie
