21 October 2026
In partnership with the Manju Shahul-Hameed Foundation as part of our Black History Month celebrations, John Ruskin College’s Hair & Beauty department were thrilled to welcome back local community elders for the seventh annual Intergenerational Care Event.
The Intergenerational Care Event is a day of pampering and relaxation for visitors, who were able to choose from a variety of luxurious treatments such as body massages, styling hair services, manicures and more.
This unique opportunity meant that students were able to practice their skills while learning more about their client, with many sharing their life stories during the treatment. For others it was a time to catch up as they had already met at recent Dementia Cafe events hosted by the Manju Shahul-Hameed Foundation.
The Manju Shahul-Hameed Foundation is a Croydon-based charity that focuses on raising awareness for mental health through community initiatives targeted to elders in the local area.
Over the last seven years, many of the elders have become regular customers at the Atrium Salon, enjoying the friendly atmosphere among our Hair and Beauty students and their Tutors.
“Everyone really enjoys the sessions and at the end of the day many of them want to stay! They love it here.” Manju admitted.
Natalie Watkins, Programme Manager for the Hair and Beauty department, added, “the Intergenerational Care Event is a wonderful opportunity for our students to provide some well-deserved pampering while listening and sharing experiences with our guests. It was a lovely way to bring generations together and give back to our Croydon community.”
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