- Work Hard
- 23rd Sep 2026
- 0
- 0 minute
How this inspirational Newcastle nail salon is supporting domestic abuse survivors
A Newcastle nail salon is becoming a lifeline for clients experiencing domestic abuse, drawing on years of trust built one appointment at a time.
Nic Gutierrez-Lock and Lucy Walton, who run Skullen Studios in Heaton, have completed specialist domestic abuse training after a number of disclosures from clients, and are now working with booking platform Styler on a discreet way for people to ask for help without saying a word out loud.
It’s part of a wider shift across North East beauty businesses, where salon owners are starting to recognise just how much their clients confide in them, and how much responsibility comes with that trust.
A TRUSTED RELATIONSHIP
“We realised we could make a difference when we really took a step back and realised how much our clients trust us. A couple of clients had made disclosures to us about their relationships and we didn’t necessarily know how to help them correctly.”
Nic and Lucy say.
“There’s something very unique about our relationship with our clients. We see our clients once every three or four weeks and some we’ve been seeing for years. We naturally build a level of trust and friendship. It’s not just about nails. A client will sit with us for up to two hours, and when they’re away from work, family, their phone, and have someone listening without judgement, it makes it easier for them to open up,” the pair explained.
Beauty professionals, they add, often see clients at the most personal points in their lives, from a wedding or a new job to a break-up or a house move, and sometimes a client just needs a safe place to unload.
LEARNING TO RESPOND
“We felt it was really important we educate ourselves through doing a Domestic Abuse Awareness Level 1 with Newcastle County Council and then go on to educate the industry.”
“Something that particularly stayed with me was the different types of abuse that exist. Most people will think of emotional and physical abuse. But it’s important to know about financial abuse, as well as online and digital abuse,” they said.
A DISCREET WAY TO ASK FOR HELP
“We will have an option on our booking system where clients can book it, then come to a safe environment, such as our studio, and either seek advice or make a disclosure. Everyone is familiar with the successful campaign ‘Ask for Angela’ in pubs and restaurants and we feel it’ll be so important to have something similar in the beauty industry,” Nic and Lucy said.
ADVICE FOR OTHER NORTH EAST BUSINESSES
“Jump straight into a Care in the Chair Domestic Abuse Awareness webinar, provided by Northumbria Police. It’s a free training session that recognises the trusted relationships beauticians have with their clients and educates us on how to respond safely to disclosures, how to signpost clients to appropriate support services and how common domestic abuse is in our communities,” is Nic and Lucy’s advice to any North East salon or independent business wondering where to start.
Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, has praised the salon’s approach, and her office has since announced free online training called Care in the Chair for the beauty industry. More than 800 people have already signed up to the related Northumbria Workplace Domestic Abuse Champions Network.
“It’s absolutely amazing that Nic and Lucy came to us,” Susan said.
SPOTTING THE SIGNS
Support isn’t only a job for salons and businesses. Findaway, a Wearside charity that runs a helpline for family, friends, neighbours and colleagues worried about someone they know, says every call it takes is different.
“Listen to them, believe them without judgement. And be brave as well.”
Said Ciara Barrett Smith, from Findaway.
“Spending less time with loved ones. Checking in with their partner constantly. Changing what they wear or how they look. Quits hobbies, jobs or education. Blames themselves for their partner’s behaviour,” are among the signs Findaway lists. These are just a few examples, they say, but there is help out there if you need advice.
None of this turns Skullen Studios into a stand-in for trained professionals, and Nic and Lucy are the first to say so. What they can offer is a familiar face, a bit of time and a starting point towards the right support.
GETTING HELP
Findaway can be reached on 0300 104 0061 or at [email protected] for anyone worried about themselves or someone they know. In an emergency, always call 999.
GET IN TOUCH WITH FINDAWAY: 0300 104 0061
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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