Coronavirus: Nail tech creates support group & petition calling for government action
By Sophie Nutt | 19 March 2020 | Movers & Shakers, News
Danni Simmons, director of the Nail Tech Network, has created the ‘Coronavirus Business Support & Advice – Nail, Beauty and Hair Businesses’ Facebook group to offer support and advice to those affected by the virus.
“I set up the Facebook group as people are so confused, panicked and have no clarity due to the limited information about coronavirus that we have been given as a nation,” says Danni. “We needed somewhere to get our heads together and to be united as an industry – we will only get through this together. So, given my previous experience with social media, I knew a Facebook group was the natural choice for putting this into action.”
Through the group, Danni hopes to create a sense of unity, peace of mind and clarity for those who are confused or worried. “There are so many people out there who are terrified for what this means for their livelihoods. However, all of the information we are sharing in this group is factual and helpful to try and combat this fear. People need to know that they are not alone, that they are safe to ask questions and that they have support if they need it.
“In an industry where mental health issues are so prevalent amongst its professionals, I felt it was important to make sure people had the opportunity to feel part of something, as isolation can be a terrifying thing – particularly when your mind is bouncing in all different directions.”
In the group, techs can find the latest updates from the government, the NHS and World Health Organisation (WHO). As well as this, information such as insurances covers and where much needed supplies are available is being shared, and emotional peer support from and for others is prevalent.
As well as creating the support group, Danni has started a petition calling for more industry support from the government, as many businesses in the sector are suffering financial difficulties as a result of appointment cancellations or salon closures.
“I started the petition to ask more help and clarity for the business owners of our industry,” explains Danni. “We are predominantly a self-employed industry that contributes a huge amount of money to the UK economy, as well as 270,000 jobs, yet unfortunately the limited information that has been shared up to now regarding safety measures and financial support from the government seems to be aimed at larger companies that are in rate applicable premises.
“Roughly 80% of the Facebook group members are sole traders and the clarity they have is nil, so I’m hoping to get this request through to parliament with the support of others to achieve this clarity. The less clarity there is, the less businesses that will survive this situation and this is not acceptable. Our industry is important and we must try to help and save it by any means. Starting with the knowledge of what we can do in order to move forward.”
All in this together
“We are primarily lone workers, with many of us without colleagues, and so we often turn to each other in this industry for understanding and support,” says Danni. “We are showing what we can do when our industry is truly threatened with mass disaster and how, as a family, we can pull together to help one another survive and move forward through a crisis.
“This turbulent time could rewrite the negative stigma surrounding our industry for the better! We are supporting each other through what could be the biggest struggle of a generation – no fighting for business, no turning on one another and no negativity.
“This is so important and supporting one another will only strengthen the bonds, the knowledge and the camaraderie of our fellow professionals. It is so important that we survive and battle through together and I really feel like the industry should be so proud of what it has achieved so far in the wake of this horrendous situation.
“This time next year, we will hopefully be able to look back and reflect on the times where the whole country was in a state of panic, yet our industry family stood firmly together supporting and caring for one another. This is huge for us as an industry and something we can be proud of for a lifetime.”
Find the Coronavirus Business Support & Advice – Nail, Beauty and Hair Businesses Facebook group here and sign Danni’s petition here. Keep up with Danni’s nail journey across her social media.