Welcome to Episode of I'm The Gaffer!

Host Gavin Coyle welcomes Tom Chapman, founder of the Lions Barber Collective and HereToTalk Training, for an inspiring discussion on mental health in construction. As a multi-award-winning author and TEDx speaker, Tom shares how barbers create safe spaces through haircuts, fostering life-changing conversations. From pop-up barbershops on construction sites to empowering training programs, this episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to wellbeing and suicide prevention!

Episode Highlights

Lions Barber Collective: Using haircuts as a vehicle for mental health conversations.

Construction Impact: Pop-up barbershops engage workers in a fun, stigma-free environment.

Tom’s Story: From Tony & Guy to global barber director, pivoting after a friend’s suicide.

HereToTalk Training: Equipping barbers and workers for early mental health interventions.

Life-Saving Moments: A client’s life was saved through a barbershop chat.

Business Evolution: From charity to a flexible limited company for bespoke events.

Personal Journey: Tom’s mental health struggles and the role of fitness in resilience.

• [00:16] Intro: Sponsored by Hustro.com, a leading construction management tool.
• [00:26] Lions Barber Collective: Haircuts as safe spaces for mental health.
• [01:25] Meet Tom Chapman: Founder, author, and TEDx speaker.
• [02:22] Tom’s journey: From Tony & Guy to mental health advocate.
• [04:44] A friend’s suicide sparks a new mission.
• [07:27] Initial idea: Mental health messaging in haircut catalogs.
• [08:24] A life saved: The power of a barbershop conversation.
• [09:22] Barbers in construction: A Trojan horse for support.
• [10:22] Pop-up barbershops: Engaging workers on site.
• [13:40] Reframing mental health: Strength, not weakness.
• [15:07] Barbers vs. traditional setups: Superior engagement.
• [18:25] Why it works: Trust and captive audiences via haircuts.
• [22:22] Inclusive support: For all genders and backgrounds.
• [24:15] Business shift: From charity to a flexible limited company.
• [26:56] HereToTalk Training: Empowering early interventions.
• [31:16] Joined-up approach: Safe handoffs to professionals.
• [35:06] Real impact: Saving a life through a pop-up chat.
• [38:50] Fitness as a mental health tool.
• [40:05] Tom’s struggles: Overcoming challenges through exercise.
• [44:45] Protecting listeners: Building resilience against burnout.
• [48:22] Life lesson: Valuing the journey’s ups and downs.
• [49:50] Key advice: Securing IP for Lions Barber Collective.
• [50:21] Favorite destination: Disney parks for escape.
• [51:16] Fun fact: Honorary doctorate and bagpipe band past.
• [52:41] Services: Pop-ups, training, and life-saving impact.
• [55:01] Closing: Resources like Samaritans for support

I'm The Gaffer, hosted by industry expert Gavin Coyle, is the essential podcast for construction people, offering insider insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies to blueprint unprecedented success in the dynamic world of construction. Whether you are still ‘on the tools’, just getting started, a seasoned site manager focused on large-scale project management, or a fast-growth building industry entrepreneur/developer, this podcast is for you.

Gavin's guests, ranging from influential thought leaders to boots-on-the-ground practitioners, share their stories, successes, and failures, and offer invaluable lessons and tips, allowing you to have a 360-degree view of the construction landscape. This podcast is a must-have shared learning...