The Salon Worth a 530-Mile Journey

Getting a haircut can be a terrible experience for some children. However, some parents will do anything to help them. Al and Ramona Nicolau have found a great solution for their son. They travel 530 miles so their son can get his hair cut. Their seven-year-old son, Alex, is autistic. In the past, he shook and felt very scared at the hairdresser.

The family found the Blade Inclusive Salon, which is in Lowestoft, Suffolk. The family moved from Norfolk to Aberdeen in 2022. Despite this long distance, they still make the journey four times a year. They also use the opportunity to visit the grandfather. Al explains that Alex feels very calm there. He actually looks forward to his visits.

Caroline Parnis owns the salon. She has ADHD, so she understands clients who have neurodivergent needs. She has run the business for almost 20 years. About seven years ago, she set up a special sensory room. This quiet room contains toys, books, and interesting wall projections. It helps people who feel nervous on the main shop floor. Caroline knows that many children have had bad experiences in the past. She usually starts with scissors instead of noisy clippers. She wants to build trust with every person.

Other families have also discovered this special salon. Gary Newman has an autistic son who is 14 years old. His son Oliver cannot speak. Gary makes a six-hour round trip to get Oliver's hair cut. Before they met Caroline, other hairdressers were afraid to cut Oliver's hair. He often became very upset. Now, Oliver loves the salon. He takes off his top because he hates loose hair. Then, he sits quietly in the chair.

Hayley Ingram is another happy parent. Her son Noah completely forgets that someone is cutting his hair. Families have travelled from places like Kent, Norwich, and Dartford. The salon has clearly changed many lives.