Cubs and Kings Barbers

🦁 THE STORY – THE HEART BEHIND CUBS & KINGS BARBERS 🦁

People often ask me how Cubs & Kings started.
The truth is, it wasn't born from a business plan. It came from lived experience, frustration, heartbreak, determination, and a promise to someone special.

As many of you know, I have two autistic, non-verbal children.
For years, haircuts were one of the biggest challenges we faced. I tried cutting their hair at home because I didn't want them to grow up resenting barbers or associating haircuts with fear and anxiety. But every attempt became a battle.
There were times I was bitten, punched, kicked, scratched and attacked while trying to get through a haircut. Not because my children were naughty, but because they were overwhelmed, frightened and struggling with the sensory experience of being touched. The hair on them, the noise the equipment made.
We tried countless barbers.
Some claimed to be SEND-friendly (although this is something most places just say as it sounds good or looks good for advertising purposes).
Some said they were trained in SEND. (That’s great you have a qualification, but do you have the patience, understanding, empathy and persona?)

Unfortunately, most weren't equipped, personable enough or skilled to be able to deal with the realities of children with additional needs.

Even a well-known children's barbers even refused to rebook us because my children were considered "too difficult."

As a parent, that hurt.

I was made to feel embarrassed and ashamed because my children became anxious and distressed in an environment that was simply too overwhelming for them.
That experience stayed with me.

I knew there had to be a better way.

Around the same time, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sadly, it spread, and during some of our conversations I spoke to her about the idea of creating a different kind of barbering service.

She immediately understood.

Having spent her entire career working within children's social services and supporting children with SEND, she absolutely loved the idea.
She believed in it before anyone else did. Believed in me enough to know I’d make it happen.
In the later stages of her illness, she made me promise that when the time came and I received the inheritance she knew she would leave behind, I would use some of it to make this dream happen.
Without her, there wouldn't be a Cubs & Kings.
In many ways, this business is part of her legacy.

Because I understand the struggles families face, particularly those with children who have SEND diagnoses, I never wanted this to be just another barber shop.

I wanted it to be something bigger.

Something that supports people.

Something that gives families hope.
Something that removes judgement and replaces it with understanding.

We are more than a barbers.

We support children, adults, parents and carers with far more than just haircuts.
We take our time.
We listen.
We adapt.
We change our approach.
We tailor every service to the individual sitting in our chair.

When we opened the shop, we quickly realised there were still many people unable to access us.
After speaking with carers and staff from supported living services about transport difficulties and staffing shortages, we invested in a van and converted it into a mobile barbering service.
Now we travel to people's homes, supported living facilities, care settings, SEND schools and children's homes.
We do everything possible to make haircuts easier, more enjoyable and less stressful.
Our goal is always the same: to help people move from fear and anxiety to acceptance, tolerance and, eventually, confidence.

Some of the children who once couldn't sit for a haircut now ask when they can come back.
Those moments mean everything.

Over the years we've also provided free cuts for The Princess Trust and offered support to mums and grandparents undergoing medical treatments that affect their hair.
I've visited homeless centres and provided free haircuts for people who needed a helping hand.
We've seen families struggling financially and having to decide which child could afford a haircut that month.
When we've seen it, we've helped.
Sometimes that has meant cutting multiple children's hair and only charging for one.
Because that's what community is all about.
Any profit we make beyond overheads and staff wages goes straight back into helping people.
Whether that's through charitable donations, community events, or fundraising efforts such as the charity skydive I completed a few years ago.
It's helped us put on annual firework displays, SEND Santa at Christmas, give out chocolate eggs over Easter and support countless local initiatives.

A few years into the business, we sadly lost several dads connected to our community through su***de and mental health struggles.
It hit us hard.
So, alongside some incredible local dads, we created Queensway United FC.
A Sunday league football team built around friendship, support and men's mental health.
Several dads from the shop now play for the team, and we're proud to sponsor it through Cubs & Kings.

I have now expanded on this and am offering the same supported living settings, children’s homes and respite centres I work with cutting hair; sports therapy sessions.

We also run our "Tame Your Mane" sessions, teaching young adults and parents (especially dads with daughters) how to properly care for hair.
From washing, brushing and drying to straightening, plaiting and braiding, we help build confidence and practical skills that many people were never taught.

None of this would be possible without the incredible people around me.
I'm fortunate to have found people who share the same values as I do.
People like Shellyanne, Shannon and Samantha, who care deeply about the people we have served over the years and continue to do so.

I'm blessed with loyal customers who trust us with their own hair and that of their children or children in their care.
I'm grateful for every recommendation, every social media tag, every kind review and every person who tells someone else about us.
And I'm incredibly thankful to those customers who overpay, leave tips, donate toys, bring gifts and support the work we do beyond the barber chair.
Every single one of those acts of kindness helps us continue helping others.
When I look back, I'm overwhelmed by how far we've come.
What started as a struggle with my own children has become something that supports hundreds of families, children, adults and carers every year.
Whether someone comes to us for a haircut, advice, support through bereavement, help navigating challenges around SEND, or simply a safe place where they won't be judged, we're here.
We've been here for nearly five years now.
But the journey is far from over.
This has never just been about hair.
It's about people.

We aren’t just another barbers - we are a support network, the centre of a great community!

And we're only just getting started 🦁💈

Kyle and Samantha are both in all day tomorrow!

Come and beat the half term/bank holiday rush!

✂️🦁💈💇💇‍♀️

Apologies for any inconvenience; but the shop will be closed today.

Kyle has been poorly throughout the night and won’t be in.
Sam is also unavailable to cover.
We have contacted and rearranged all appointments for today.

Should be back to normal tomorrow 💈🦁

Hi Guys,

As some may know - Kyle runs a local football club Queensway United FC.

We are currently setting up a new U16 team for the upcoming season to add to the clubs existing men’s team.

If you have a son or daughter aged 14 or 15 who plays football, or is currently looking for a new team/new challenge - we are on the look out for players.

This is a mixed gender, mixed ability team. Fully inclusive.

We have coaches, sponsors, grounds and everything all in place. Just require a few more players to add to the existing players already interested and committed.

Please reach out to express interest and for details of training 🦁⚽️🦁

For those customers asking - we will be open over both of the upcoming bank holidays.
Kyle will be in between 10-4.

Please use the online booking system to make any appointments or just pop in as a walk in 💈🦁

Such a great weekend with all the back to school cuts - plus the suns been out!

Was called a “hair artist” for the second time in my career yesterday by one of our little people.

Love it when the kids come in with designs and pictures of haircuts their favourite footballer or friend has.
Some just want a design or a different style and trust me to get creative.

Even some of the dads who want a change in style and trust us to do a free range cut. Rather than their usual short back and sides.

One of my all time biggest drives is to advocate for SEND children and adults to have the cut THEY want. To be stylish and have CHOICE. Not just a buzz cut because it’s easy. They don’t have to fit the outdated stereotype.

Yes is takes longer or they move around. Yes it’s more difficult to get right. But that’s the point in cubs and kings. We give them the time and patience to acheive it. - together with them. And I personally feel a greater sense of pride and achievement in what I do when we accomplish it!

Super proud of some little people this week and weekend. Some have come such a long way! 🦁💈

What a disappointing start to autism awareness month.

Rightly or wrongly I’m posting this here - because every now and again there are a select few people that don’t wholly get on board with what we are doing here.
And that’s ok - but please I ask if you don’t understand or are not willing to show compassion and patience for the other customers, their children and staff please go elsewhere.

Appointment times don’t always run true. Children take to a cut all differently. Sometimes we are behind, sometimes it is busier or we have give a little person more time or follow them round or do a bit at a time. Sometimes mum or dad needs support and we spend 5-10 minutes engaging or talking to them as they may be struggling or in need of advice.

I will never ask my staff to rush a cut or to not hear and see a parent, just to stay to time or conveyor belt customers for profit.
We would give the same care, attention and understanding to everyone. After all that’s what we are about.

In this instance we have a negative review and experience because communication nor understanding was not there. Yes there were multiple people in the shop like normal. But please don’t assume they are in front of you.
Many may be walk ins, where we try to prioritise booked customers or those little people we know struggle more with waiting. Some may be settling in visits or have just popped in to play and get more comfortable around the shop environment. Some may be siblings of those needing a cut. Assumptions are dangerous.
But not once was staff asked 🤷‍♂️
A negative review and complaint by message sent just 13 minutes after appointment time.
Sometimes a business isn’t unreasonable - but unfortunately the customer may be.

We do our best for everyone here. That’s all we can do 🦁💈

April is Autism Awareness Month 💙

My journey started in a place I’m not entirely proud of. I was ignorant at times, a bit selfish, and didn’t truly understand autism or the reality many families live every single day. I didn’t realise how much I had to learn or how much my life was going to change.

Then came my two youngest boys and everything shifted. Admittedly it was harder to digest and navigate for me than my wife; who just naturally got on with it like she was on autopilot. You go through the processes and some may even grieve slightly for the life they thought they would have. You naturally distance yourself from people who don’t understand and it can become a little isolated as you get your head round things and relearn everything you thought you knew about parenting.

My youngest boys have both opened my eyes in ways I can’t even put into words. Through them, I’ve learned to slow down and appreciate the little things - the moments that might seem small to others but mean absolutely everything. A new word, a breakthrough, a smile, a good day… those wins hit differently now.

They have changed my whole character, my perception of the world and my ethos and outlook to every day life.
They’ve taught me resilience, given me a completely new perspective on what progress really looks like, taught me to have more empathy and be more compassionate. And also pushed me to be a better person.

And it’s not just them.

Through the shop (which I wouldn’t have without them) - we’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible children and families. Watching these kids grow, mature, and develop in their own unique ways has been something really special.
Seeing and helping families through the same life hurdles we faced, sharing experiences and tricks/techniques. Being a comfort or listening to parents often at breaking point. Playing a small part in helping these children, young adults and parents navigate their own path has been truly amazing.
Every single one of them brings something different, something valuable and it’s a reminder that there is no “one way” to grow.

To all the parents out there you are superheroes. Honestly.

The ones who wake up every single day and just figure it out. The ones who fight, advocate, comfort, celebrate, and keep going even on the hardest days. The ones striving for the very best for their kids, no matter what that looks like.

I see you. I respect you. And we are all learning from each other every day.

I’m still learning. Still growing. Still trying to be better; not just for my boys, but for every child and family I have the privilege to cross paths with.

Because awareness is just the start - acceptance, support, and kindness are what really matter.

Let’s celebrate the differences this month and show the world what acceptance looks like 💙

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter from us all!

We will be open over the Easter bank holiday weekend as normal with Sam or Kyle here.

If you are wanting to book - please use the new self service booking system on the link to the top of the page.
Note that only Sunday SEN sessions are to be booked on Sundays please (apart from dads or sibling cuts alongside a SEN session). This is to keep spaces open for those that need them due to limited spaces.

We also still have the mobile service with Kyle - but again these are limited; so please with no offence - only book them if there is a genuine requirement. They are available to help those that need it rather than for convenience 💈🦁

SUNDAY SEN SESSIONS AND MOBILE SERVICE

just a quick note about our SEN sessions and mobile services.

We are having a lot of messages about both of the above services.
Appointments for both are really limited and often booked up in advance.

With no disrespect meant at all - both these services (especially the mobile service) have been created by us to help and support those that need more time or more understanding, quieter atmosphere, or the mobile service for those that physically cannot get to the shop due to disability, care commitments or that the child or person copes better at home/in the van than at a shop environment.

They are not purely for “convenience”. Please consider this before booking, as we say - spaces and appointments are limited.

With new clients/children for SEN sessions we do suggest they come on a normal appointment first and if then they would benefit from a SEN session we can look to book one and discuss this with parents/carers. But we do have a lot of success in the shop where other conventional barbers have struggled.

Our understanding staff and inviting/relaxed atmosphere works wonders 💈🦁