Community champions sought as barbershop blood pressure scheme expands
A powerful community-led push to fight high blood pressure that started in barbershops is expanding across South London to reach people most likely to be missed by traditional healthcare routes.
In 2024, London South Bank University (LSBU)’s Professor Nicola Thomas launched a pilot initiative in Croydon to reach those most at risk of high blood pressure and least likely to be diagnosed.
As part of the project’s expansion, LSBU is now looking for community champions to train in carrying out blood pressure checks in their own neighbourhoods. The training is open to barbers, faith leaders, volunteers and anyone who wants to help make health checks more accessible in local community spaces.
A novel approach to community health
Working in partnership with the Croydon BME Forum, Nicki, a professor of kidney care, brought vital health checks into the heart of the community, in three South London barbershops.
Millions of adults in the UK are living with high blood pressure – but around 1 in 3 of them don’t know it. The condition can quietly lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and some forms of dementia, and is more prevalent amongst men in Black and Asian communities.
Thanks to new funding, the project has also expanded beyond diagnosis. Men who need further support are now connected with the Croydon BME Forum’s Wellness Centre and local pharmacies for ongoing checks and personalised health advice. This allows the research team to potentially track long-term changes in blood pressure and health behaviour.
Professor Thomas’ research focuses on making healthcare accessible in the everyday spaces where people live, work and socialise. Barbers in Croydon and Mitcham were trained to offer free, on-the-spot blood pressure checks while customers get their regular trim.
As long-trusted confidantes in many communities, barbers play a unique role in engaging Black and Asian men, who are at greater risk of high blood pressure yet often experience lower diagnosis rates.
The model was inspired by a landmark Los Angeles project in which 68% of barbershop customers with high blood pressure saw their levels return to a healthy range by the end of the study, demonstrating that community care was an effective health intervention.
“By placing health checks in familiar and trusted neighbourhood settings, we are making early detection genuinely accessible,” said Professor Thomas.
“For many men, a simple trip to the barbers becomes an opportunity to protect their long-term health outcomes. Small, familiar spaces can open the door to lifesaving conversations.”
Growing beyond the barber shop
LSBU is now working with more barbers, while also partnering with Blood Pressure UK to expand awareness and training across other community organisations, including faith groups.
Dr Pauline Swift, Chair of Blood Pressure UK, said: “High blood pressure is a silent condition, but its consequences can be devastating. Whilst it remains one of the UK’s biggest preventable causes of death and a major driver of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and vascular dementia, many people still do not realise their blood pressure is too high.
“We are particularly pleased to see a focus on Black and Asian men, who face a higher risk of high blood pressure but are too often missed by traditional routes to diagnosis. Early detection is simple, effective and can save lives.”
Meanwhile, Bishop Mark A Nicholson JP BEM is using his Croydon pulpit to highlight the risks of high blood pressure, encouraging individuals to get checked and adopt healthier lifestyles.
“Church gives us a unique opportunity to speak into real-life issues,” he said. “Raising awareness around hypertension is about caring for the whole community.”
The success of the pilot scheme has inspired other London boroughs, with Lewisham planning to roll out a similar programme called Pressure Drop!
Dr Andrew Brown, CEO, Croydon BME Forum, said: “We have worked in partnership with LSBU over the past five years to develop this exciting project. We are now ready to spread the free blood pressure awareness programme outside barbershops to any trusted community organisation that has an interest in improving the health of people from Black Asian and minority ethnic communities. By doing so, we aim to reach people who do not usually visit the NHS.”
This project forms part of LSBU’s commitment to address inequalities through practical, community-led research. Professor Thomas won a Times Higher Education award in 2024, recognising her Outstanding Contribution to Local Community, and LSBU is currently sixth in the world for reducing inequalities in the Times Higher Education Rankings.
Find out more information about training to become a community blood pressure champion.