Afro Hair Care Workshops Go Beyond Styling, Focusing on Belonging

Natalie Edwards, a mother of two from Coedpoeth, recalls her teenage years in Wrexham during the 1990s as a time of difficulty in finding services or knowledge to care for her Afro hair. Even two decades later, she noted that people often sought her advice while walking down the street, especially regarding their children’s hair. For Natalie, hair is more than a personal trait—it’s a vital part of identity. This realization has driven her to spearhead a series of workshops in north-east Wales to bridge a gap in understanding and skills for Afro hair care.

“These workshops are about more than styling, they’re about belonging,” Natalie said. She explained that many parents approached her, worried they were making mistakes in caring for their children’s hair. “It’s traumatic if you do it wrong because it hurts and it can be quite frustrating, so people do want that information,” she added. “When I had my braids as a kid, people would constantly ask me for tips and I’d be writing down phone numbers for advice.”

Natalie emphasized that this scenario was common across the UK, particularly in regions outside major cities. Despite Wrexham’s small but growing mixed heritage population, access to Afro hair care, specialist guidance, and culturally relevant spaces remains limited. “Living in Wrexham for over 30 years, I know how hard it is to find products, knowledge, and suppliers,” she said. “I knew there was a gap.”

Afro hair care is now part of hairdressing curricula in the UK, but it often takes a backseat. Natalie pointed out that students must choose two out of three options, with Afro hair learning frequently being the third priority. A BBC investigation highlighted this issue, revealing that only a third of colleges offering hairdressing courses included Afro hair care in their programs, even four years after the requirement was set. The Hair and Beauty Industry Authority updated its standards in 2021, mandating training for Afro-textured hair due to its unique dryness and fragility.

When the BBC contacted 259 colleges in England, 237 responded, but just 82 confirmed they taught an inclusive curriculum covering Afro hair care. Natalie co-founded Done Together, a community interest company, in 2025. The initiative was inspired by Helen Gibson, a local hairdresser at Dare to Dream salon, who reached out with the idea after seeing Natalie’s efforts. The workshops, coordinated with Wrexham University’s diversity lead Yasmin Washbrook, included an online session and were designed for families and professionals.

“I still go back to the West Midlands sometimes because there’s a variety there,” said Veronica Edwards, Natalie’s mother, who has lived in Wrexham for over 40 years. “When I studied in the 1970s, it meant traveling back to the West Midlands for my hair. It’s been like that for a long time, so it’s nice to see things being done.”

Harley Almeida, a 21-year-old musician and DJ from Wrexham, shared his experience. “I usually traveled to Manchester once a month for hair care because there aren’t many places here that specialize in Afro hair,” he said. Attending a workshop locally made a difference, he noted, as it allowed his 11-year-old brother to learn the basics. “It’s good for him to have access to that knowledge,” Harley added.