Who we support
- Young people aged 13 to 25
- Women rebuilding their lives
- Adults seeking connection, confidence and practical skills
- People experiencing social isolation or barriers to opportunity
- Black and racially minoritised communities
Community skills and personal development
One practical skill.
Many possibilities.
Skillful Hands CIC uses practical hair skills as an engagement tool to create welcoming spaces for learning, meaningful conversations and personal development.
Hair is the engagement tool. What happens around it is bigger.
Practical learning with purpose
Hair is the engagement tool. What happens around it is much bigger.
01Practical skills
02Meaningful conversations
03Stronger futures
Our programmes
Five pathways. One purpose.
Creating skills and building futures through practical learning, conversation and confidence.
Meet the founder
Monique Hughes
Founder, Skillful Hands CIC
Monique's journey into community work began in sexual health education, where she learned the importance of creating spaces where people feel safe enough to ask questions, share experiences and have conversations without judgement.
Through years of community engagement and youth work across Canada and the UK, she recognised something powerful about hair and salon spaces: conversation happens naturally when people are doing hair. People talk about relationships, health, family, confidence, identity, work and everyday life.
That idea became part of the foundation for Skillful Hands. Monique created Skillful Hands to use practical hair activities as an engagement tool, bringing people together to learn while creating space for conversations, confidence, connection and personal development.
Sometimes the best conversations happen when your hands are busy.
Working with our communities
Designed around people and place.
Skillful Hands works with young people, women and adults, with particular attention to people who may experience disadvantage, discrimination, racial inequality or barriers to opportunity.
Where we work
Skillful Hands is based in South London, with programmes and partnerships being developed across London.
Croydon • Bromley • Greenwich and Thamesmead • South London
We are also open to working with schools, community organisations, local authorities, justice services and partners in other London boroughs where there is an identified community need.
Partner with us
Bring practical opportunity closer.
We welcome conversations with organisations that care about skills, confidence, wellbeing, and economic opportunity.
Schools and colleges
Practical, confidence-building enrichment for young people.
Explore partnership optionsCouncils and community groups
Accessible programmes shaped around local needs and opportunity.
Explore partnership optionsFunders and corporate partners
A practical route to support skills, wellbeing and enterprise.
Explore partnership optionsLet's make something meaningful
Start with a conversation.
Interested in a programme, partnership, or community collaboration?
Contact Skillful Hands CICFollow our journey