National Spa Week 2024 at Bernard Sunley, our residential, nursing and dementia care home in Woking, Surrey, was a huge success. Anna Detira has been sharing her passion and love of bringing happiness and meaningful interactions to the care home’s residents through her weekly hairdressing sessions.
Anna has been visiting Bernard Sunley each week for two years but has been linked to the care home for many years. “I used to work and visit Bernard Sunley 10 years ago but returned as I missed everyone so much. The residents and carers are wonderful and the whole care home has a lovely warm, welcoming and homely feel. I missed being part of such a great place, fabulous team and part of the Bernard Sunley family,” said Anna.
From a young age, Anna knew she wanted to be a Hairdresser. “Once I left school, I worked in a hairdressing salon and completed my Apprenticeship, qualifying as a Hairdresser in 1975. I love the creative side of hairdressing; working with the clients, deciding what style, cut and colour would suit them best and delivering what they want,” continued Anna.
“We recently refurbished and redecorated our Salon,” said Andy Cumper, the Registered Manager at Bernard Sunley. “For all our residents, especially those living dementia, I wanted to ensure our revamped salon was a soothing, calming and relaxing space. I did this as regular visits to the hairdressers provide positive, sensory triggers such as a certain aroma or the perfumed scent of a shampoo or conditioner. These can ignite happy and pleasurable memories of past experiences and are a great way for our residents to reminisce.
“The regular visits to see Anna also help boost their self-confidence and provide some normality in a world which they might find a bit confusing at times.”
“The residents thoroughly enjoy their regular visits to our salon for their weekly hair appointments,” added Monika Ahmed, an Activities Coordinator at the care home. “It’s a lovely pamper session where they are made to feel extra special.”
Valerie Carter, who has been a resident at Bernard Sunley for over a year, is one of Anna’s regular clients. “I always look forward to my hair appointments with Anna,” said Valerie. “It’s so lovely to sit down, relax, get pampered and have a chat with Anna. I always leave feeling so energised and, even if I do say so myself, looking rather good too.”
“I try to make each hair appointment as special as possible. Being Bernard Sunley’s Hairdresser is a wonderful role. Each resident who comes along for their weekly, or regular, appointment loves to chat and get me up-to-date with what they have been doing. They’ll tell me all about the activities they have been taking part in and sometimes they have a little gossip as well; but I never repeat a word. What’s said in the Salon, stays in the Salon,” added a smiling Anna.
“Each week there’s always so much laughter, chatting and merriment in the Salon. The residents – both ladies and gentlemen – who visit Anna leave not only looking great, but with smiles on the faces. Anna’s days are fully booked as nobody wants to miss out on their special time with her,” concluded Andy.
Find out more about Bernard Sunley care home by calling 01483 764 300 or emailing enquiries@fote.org.uk.