For most of us, going to the hairdressers is a simple task, or even a time to relax when getting a treat.

But for some children with additional needs, the sound of clippers buzzing accompanied by crowded waiting rooms and the smell of shampoo can be a sensory overload which can make the experience distressing.

One barber in Maidstone has come up with a way to address what they have described as a huge gap in the market to cater for children and adults who may otherwise struggle with their time in the chair.

The Hairy Bear Barber in Union Street opened in October last year.

It also has a branch in Bearsted and has always offered the dedicated appointments but since July has been inundated with bookings since posting about them on Facebook.

The sessions are longer than a standard appointment to reduce the anxiety about waiting times and they are carried out by a barber with years of experience working with children with special educational needs.

The shop also has a garden with a climbing frame and space to play football so children can play while waiting and make their trip one that is memorable for the right reasons.

It means parents such as Kerry Horn from Rochester, can have peace of mind her son Oscar will be comforted when visiting.

Oscar, who is four, has suspected autism and usually finds getting his hair cut extremely distressing.

Miss Horn, 28, said: "When I take him to other barbers I feel really judged because Oscar will just scream.

"People will say 'why are you getting his haircut? Just leave it' but I can't because he doesn't let me brush it and growing it isn't an option.

"I have to go through that embarrassment and judgment each time but when I went here, I felt so at ease.

"Even though he was still screaming, it was a much better experience for him and when we left we just couldn't believe it."

Oscar now looks really handsome with his new hair cut and his mum says he has now found his 'forever barber'.

He even enjoyed playing in the garden with his two sisters while his big brother Jacob was having his hair cut which reduced his anxiety.

Another parent who was 'amazed' by how well her son coped after booking an appointment was Andrea Bartha Baluse from Barming.

Her five year-old son, also named Oscar, has sensory issues which means she has had to cut his hair herself for the past four years.

Andrea says her son Oscar now enjoys going to the hairdressers

The 35-year-old said: "We tried and tried to get his haircut but he would literally not go into a barber shop.

"When he hears the machines and the noises he struggles a little bit because he thinks it's going to cause him pain.

"When I booked the appointment, in the comments section you can leave a note so I explained about Oscar and his needs.

"When we visited they had everything ready for him and he just sat down and had his hair cut. "Martin was playing with him and they were chatting and I just thought 'oh my gosh I can't believe this'.

"Finding them was a massive relief because he can have a decent hair cut now."

Mrs Bartha Baluse has since visited three times and hopes to take Oscar's younger brother Oliver, who is three, to The Hairy Bear when he is old enough and ready.

Savannah Kuypers from Grove Green says she has never taken her son Parker, two, to the same hairdressers twice but since visiting The Hairy Bear, Parker has been back again.

Parker doesn't have additional needs but benefited from the extended sessions.

The 25-year-old said: "Parker absolutely hates getting his hair cut but they did everything possible to make him feel comfortable.

"They put on what he wanted to watch on Netflix, he didn't want to wear the gown so he didn't have to. They let him sit on his dad's lap and reassured him the whole time.

"At other places I just get so embarrassed because they don't always reassure you it's okay and you can see other people getting really annoyed that your child is screaming but this time they didn't make me feel I was being a burden.

"We have been back again and he still struggles and was screaming, but he was definitely better the second time."

As well as a playground, The Hairy Bear also has a PlayStation, a TV and is looking to introduce headphones so youngsters can phase out some of the background noise.

The shop is run by Sarah and Wesley Mason, and Sam and Donda Michaelas.

They felt it was important to offer the sessions based on their own experiences and a void in the market that desperately needs addressing.

'As long as the parent and the child are happy and safe, we don’t mind where they want to sit ...'

Mrs Mason, who was a paediatric nurse for 23 years, said: "I am disabled after a car accident and it makes you more aware of the way people look at you and how it makes people feel.

"Our business partner's child is autistic. He would get turned away from places so all of this has made us aware of a gap in the services.

"We have always offered these sessions at our Bearsted branch but we didn't have the space for it because it's so busy and there are lots of hair dryers making noises, clippers and scissors so it can be distressing.

"When we opened the one in Union Street we knew it would be better suited because we only have the one barber and he is experienced in working with people with additional needs.

"We've also said to people, before you book, bring your child along to have a look at the play area.

"Then by the time they're ready for their appointment, they've already met the barber and they know what the space is like."

When it comes to the hair cut, Martin will often sit on the floor with children and has even clambered onto the climbing frame.

Mrs Mason added: "As long as the parent and the child are happy and safe, we don’t mind where they want to sit.

"Some don't like the feeling of being touched, the clipping noises, or the thought of hair falling on them so we have to catch it.

"The extended sessions means the barber can take their time."

The appointments have been so popular, they have even had people drive down from London.

But the sessions are not just for children or people with additional needs, they can be booked by anyone who feels they will benefit from the extra time and a less crowded environment.

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