A Quiet Place With A Big Impact

This week, our new hairdressing venture Silent Cuts featured in the Belfast Telegraph and I couldn’t be prouder. The article captures what we have been working towards for the last few months: creating one of Northern Ireland’s first specialist, inclusive hair salons for people with learning disabilities and/or autism.

The idea for Silent Cuts grew from a simple but important question: how do we make everyday experiences, like a haircut, accessible to everyone? For many, visiting a salon is a treat, a chance to relax and walk out feeling your best. But for some of the people we support, the noise, the small talk, the mirrors, and the pace of a traditional salon can be overwhelming. We wanted to change that.

Our salon on Scotch Street, Downpatrick, is designed as a quiet, sensory-friendly space. Clients will have the option of one-to-one appointments, longer time slots, and small but important choices – whether to have music or silence, whether to use a mirror or not, even whether to chat or just sit peacefully. These details may seem small, but they make all the difference in ensuring everyone feels comfortable and respected.

Behind the doors of Silent Cuts is something even bigger: inclusion. By making this service available, we are saying loudly that people with learning disabilities and autism should have the same opportunities and experiences as anyone else. It’s about dignity, choice, and equality.

I am deeply grateful to our team for their vision and hard work, and to the local community who have already shown such warmth and encouragement. Projects like this don’t just serve our clients – they enrich Downpatrick, showcasing how a town can lead the way in inclusivity.

As we move from soft launch to full opening, I invite you to follow our journey, spread the word, and most importantly, join us in celebrating the value of quiet spaces where everyone belongs.

Sarah-Jane Mowbray
Chief Executive, Mainstay