Tattoo parlour staff trained in self-harm awareness

Wes Scott and his staff are trained to talk and help possible self-harmers

A man who set up a project in his tattoo parlour to help people who self-harm said he was inspired to do so when he noticed scars on a young girl.

Wes Scott of Pennyroyal Studio in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, said his staff were being guided by The Samaritans and others to create a "safe space".

He said tattooists were in a unique position to notice signs of self-harm on people's skin.

The Armour Project offers advice and mental health support.

The project is thought to be the first of its kind at any tattoo studio in the country, with staff being registered and trained.

Mr Scott said the studio had created "resource centre" for those that self-harm.

"We come across individuals with scarring and issues with their skin. It's not a taboo subject in this safe space," he said.

Mr Scott hopes other tattoo parlours will consider training in similar projects

The idea was inspired when the parlour had hosted a piercing party for a girl's 17th birthday.

"I happened to notice one of the girls had some severe scarring on her arm," he said.

He began talking quietly with her, at first about tattoos, and then said he told her: "I just need to talk to you about the scarring on your arm.

"She went a bit shy and I said I wasn't judging her, but if we're going to cover that, a tattoo artist has to be careful with scarring.

"I said to her about looking after herself and when she left the studio she had a big smile on her face, and I kind of felt good - and it just spawned the idea.

"We do come across self-harming a lot - it seems to go hand-in-hand with a tattoo studio - and I just wanted to do more with the Armour Project.

"We are used to the judgement that being tattooed brings, and we offer a completely judgement-free and welcoming environment to all. We are in an ideal situation to provide a safe and informative space for people who self-harm."

Anna Kostrubala, neighbourhood project manager for the NHS Cambs & Peterborough Integrated Care System in St Neots, said: "The launch of Armour Project has been a brilliant opportunity to bring together all partners across the neighbourhood including mental health support services and the community to show what it does and who it can support."

The project is funded by a grant of £1,220 from the Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire (CPSL) Mind's Good Life Fund.

The fund helps with promotional materials, social media promotions and aftercare packs.

It also provides training for Armour Project staff in mental health awareness.