MANY people open up to their hairdresser or barber while sitting in the chair having a new haircut.

This is what is behind the major transformation to make the former Goodlife in Corn Market "more than just a barbershop".

Rebranding as Maniac Barbers it has become a safe space where men can open up about their mental health problems.

Ollie Round, who manages the marketing and social media at Maniac Barber, said staff have experienced challenges with mental health and the team wants to change the stigma around the topic. 

Worcester News: Maniac Barbers had pizza and old video games from Retroids at the party.Maniac Barbers had pizza and old video games from Retroids at the party. (Image: Maniac Barbers)He said: "We have been around for ten years, and it has been really successful.

"Changes in circumstances from some people's lives within the team meant we wanted to focus on a forward-thinking way of how we can help people, as many people as we possibly could, with their mental health. 

"It is based around our own personal experiences and there are some in the shop - not to name names but have gone through very severe mental health problems.

Worcester News: Flame breathers came to the city to make the relaunch.Flame breathers came to the city to make the relaunch. (Image: Maniac Barbers)"All of us have been here to guide each other through that.

"We are more than just a barber shop. We are a collective of guys deeply committed to creating this safe space."

Maniac Barbers has teamed up with Mind and Samaritans as part of the new business and will listen to any client's problems - no matter how big or small. 

The team will also be happy to guide their clients through the first steps of getting help and will triage people to the right services.

Worcester News: Staff from Maniac Barbers.Staff from Maniac Barbers. (Image: Maniac Barbers)Mr Round said the barber's primary mission is to change and help as many people as possible through their suffering.

"We are very aware of the negative connotations of Maniac as a name," he said.

"We want to reclaim that word and embrace all parts of ourselves, including the ones which make us a 'maniac', as some may say.

"It is masculinity. We are expected to always be strong-minded and strong-willed, which is not always the case with any human.

"I do think it is a lot worse in terms of talking for men. The stigma around men talking has been going on for years, and suicide amongst men is very high. It is a prevalent problem."

The store also donates 10 per cent of all its proceeds from its merchandise to Mind.