Care homes’ football barber sparks big game memories for men living with dementia

A Scots barber is helping men living with dementia to take a trip down memory lane and back to the terraces.

Martin Murphy has taken his pop-up shop to care homes across Edinburgh and Fife, offering football-themed haircuts and pampering sessions to residents.

The aim of The Football Barber is to recreate a traditional barbershop experience and help trigger memories of days gone by, from the sound of Tartan Army chants to the aroma of Old Spice and Brylcreem.

“My wife’s gran was in a care home and I used to visit her quite often,” Martin explained.

“I was quite conscious of the fact that a lot of the guys there suffered from social isolation. There were lots of things that I felt were available to the ladies in the care home and I didn’t really feel there was much in the way for the gentlemen.

“A lot of them can’t practically attend barbershops and lose the camaraderie and company you get there.

“Taking them back to experiencing that through sound, sight and smell and being able to re-immerse themselves back in the experience was quite powerful.

“To do that with something they can discuss and reminisce on, the national sport, I felt you could really fuse the two together.”

Martin with Keith Bird at Queens Manor care home

Few care homes in Scotland have a barber at all, let alone provide a similar sensory experience to Martin’s pop-up shop.

His mobile salon, open to all whether or not they have dementia or are even sports fans, has a memory box packed with football artefacts dating from the 1950s to the 1980s, from old rattles to scarves, strips and programmes.

And, following in the lead of the Playlist for Life scheme, visits are soundtracked by old football songs, from Scotland’s World Cup songs to terrace classics.

“The music is massive, the guys really feed off that and enjoy it,” Martin said. “The memorabilia takes them back as well.

“Because of the nature of the disease and the way it damages lots of different aspects of life it’s quite nice to relive positive memories and talk about things that really made an impact. It’s been really rewarding.”

A self-confessed football addict, Celtic fan Martin left his job as a full time support worker for people with mental health issues and learning difficulties to start up The Football Barber.

The 30-year-old admits it was a “bit of a gamble” to give up the stability of work and head back to college, especially as he’d just got married.

“I came back from my honeymoon on the Monday and started college on the Tuesday,” he said. “I was so motivated and determined, I had such a clear idea of what I wanted to do. I finished the course three months ahead of schedule.

“The only thing that was really hard was giving up the stability of a full time job. I thought I could make a success of this business for the gentlemen first and foremost, but also so that I could still make a living.

“I was quite confident in my own mind that it was a unique service and there was a niche there.”

Martin cutting Keith Bird’s hair at Queens Manor care home

The idea has proved to be fruitful, and Martin’s shops are now running in 20 different care homes in six council areas across Scotland.

He’s had support from the Hibernian Historical Trust and Heart of Midlothian charity Big Hearts in sending him memorabilia for his memory box.

Martin has also been invited to Scotland’s Football Memories project, and has worked with Alzheimer Scotland to further his understanding of the condition and how best to work with those living with it.

“It’s not revolutionary in any way, it’s just talking to guys about sport and giving them a haircut, and putting the two together seems to be very helpful,” Martin said.

“Some of the gents have been reduced to tears as it obviously brings back so many emotions. Some of the guys dance, some laugh and chat away, it depends on their personality.

“They seem to really enjoy it, and it gives them a wee boost of confidence, which everyone needs. It makes my job a lot easier when they’re so relaxed and looking forward to it.

“I had a gentleman the other day in Edinburgh who was 102 years old and he was looking forward to it so much he invited his family along. He turned up in his Hearts suit and tie which was amazing, he was so happy.

“I love standing for hours every day talking about football, you get to help the guys, have a chat, usually have a laugh, it’s great.”