Spotlight on Wellbeing: Empowering women on self-care strategies

A new storytelling programme to empower women has been launched in Peckham urging residents: if in despair, brush your hair.

The idea was created by hairdresser Oz Izzet in a bid to empower women, improve well-being and confidence, and elevate black voices.

Ms Izzet created workshops for women to take place in Southwark’s Women’s Hub to encourage residents to talk about heritage, experiences of any
hair-related trauma, hair care and self-care strategies.

Funding for the programme was received from The Culture Seeds but then the pandemic hit.

Although this initially stopped the workshops from taking place, Ms Izzet and her team did not give up.

Through discussion, creative writing and establishing practical tips, the team have put together strategies to help empower women.

The new modified initiative involves one-to-ones with women in the Scissors of Oz salon in Latona Road, Peckham.

The initiative allows women to have open conversations in a safe place and connect with others – creating a community and well-being space.

Oz Izzet, Scissors of Oz founder, said: “I was born and bred in Peckham which is where I first started working with hair in the 1990s.

“Launching this programme means a great deal to me, I wanted to give back to the amazing women at the Southwark’s Women’s Hub and create a safe space for them to share their experiences together.

“In doing this project, we aid and promote the importance of self-care, have open conversations about stigma, heal together and empower each other through hair.

Elevating black voices and people of colour in our industry is important to me and although the original workshops had to be modified, our message is powerful.”

To find out more, go to www.thesistersofoz.co.uk

Pictured: Oz Izzet, Scissors of Oz founder (left) in conversation with influencer Shahira