Renowned stylist launches free service for cancer patients
Professional stylist Trevor Sorbie MBE has opened a room in his home to offer a free wig customisation service through the charity he founded more than a decade ago.
Trevor Sorbie founded the charity mynewhair in 2006 to provide advice and support to anyone who has experienced medical hair loss, including those undergoing chemotherapy. The pioneering charity supports and trains a network of 835 independent salons and 960 trained hair professionals across the UK and Ireland, all providing a wig-customisation service for their clients.
Now Trevor, who received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) in 2017 for his work with this incredible charity, has converted a room in his home at Gosport, Hampshire, so he can offer the free service primarily to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in his local area.
Trevor is passionate about providing a free wig customisation service in the Gosport and surrounding areas, as a way of giving back to his local community. mynewhair has linked up with the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, which has a large oncology department, and will also be listed on the charity’s website.
Trevor Sorbie founded mynewhair to create the UK’s first national hairdressers training programme. The charity’s programme is nurse-led, providing specialist expertise across all areas of advice, wig cutting and aftercare.
He said: “I’m delighted to be able to offer this free service primarily to cancer sufferers in the Gosport area so they don’t have to travel to London to see me.
“We really want to make our clients feel welcome, to show them that we do really care and that we can make a difference. For many patients, it will mean a lot for them to be able to access this service close to home.
“I’ve been offering this service in all my five salons throughout the UK for over 11 years and now I have a little bit more time, it’s wonderful to be able to convert a room in my home to be able to offer this service locally.
“The room is really beautiful and we’ve tried to make it as comfortable as it can be – it really is a lovely environment. All my awards and photos of me receiving my MBE are displayed there, alongside lots of thank you cards I’ve received over the years, to reassure patients that I know what I’m doing!
“This charity and the difference it makes to people’s lives is something I am very passionate about and now I am spending more time at home, it’s rewarding to be able to offer the wig customisation service to people in my local area. I will make myself available for anyone who needs my help.
“This is not a gimmick and I don’t make one penny from this – I give my time for free and willingly. Everybody knows someone who has been affected by cancer and if I can touch a lot of hearts, especially in this day and age by helping others, I think that is something very special.
“When I started the charity over 11 years ago, we had no idea that we would grow to an over 800-strong network of salons. It’s an exciting time for mynewhair.”
People suffering from cancer and medical hair loss can book an appointment with Trevor by emailing Trevor’s wife at carolesorbie@me.com
mynewhair has produced a booklet of advice and information in conjunction with the Department of Health and the Institute of Trichologists, and is available in many NHS hospitals. The Patient Information Resource booklet provides advice and support for patients if they lose their hair, advice on choosing a wig, having it styled to suit, as well as information with regards to aftercare/hair re-growth.
To find out more about mynewhair visit www.mynewhair.org or via Twitter @mynewhairorg, or follow the charity on Facebook and LinkedIn.
You can also donate to the charity by texting MYNH00 followed by the amount you wish to donate, to 70070.
