Macclesfield tattoo artists raise hundreds in a day for suicide prevention charity
By Alex Greensmith
7th Apr 2023 | Local News
Macclesfield tattoo businesses have been praised for taking part in a suicide awareness and prevention project.
Grindhouse Tattoo Productions of 33 Church Street and Acadia Studio of 9 Roe Street have done their bit for charity this week.
The two small local businesses have inked customers with a semi colon, which is a symbol of solidarity for those affected by suicide and depression.
They waive a portion of the fee the charity Suicide Awareness / Prevention UK.
The two stores combined have thought to have inked over 30 customers for the greater good.
Acadia alone raised over £400 for charity across Wednesday April 5, and Thursday April 6.
The pair of local inkers were among 150 of tattoo studios taking part in the initiative across the country this week.
Simon Heywood, has been a tattooist for 15 years, is the founder of Macclesfield's Acadia.
"It is the first time we've done the semi colon challenge", Simon said.
"It is a different pace to what we are used to, we've done loads of charity events before, but it was also a great opportunity to meet new people."
Kadie Waszkowycz, who has been part of the studio since COVID, is one of four staff members..
"Mental health is such an important thing, and there is such a lack of support in the help people can get," said Kadie.
"Especially in Macclesfield, there's a few charities which are dedicated to helping people but they can only help so many.
"With things like the NHS therapy time for help coming up to years at this point, it is not good enough.
"It could take just someone coming in to have a chat with us to make a difference for them.
"There's a saying that goes 'your hairdresser is your therapist', we have that same phrase here as well.
"Just chatting to someone and getting it off their chest can make them feel better. Doing this challenge spreads that message that people can come and have a chat with us.
"We're not mental health professionals, we are just friendly people, but if we can help them in our own way it could change a life."
Acadia, named after a national park in Maine, USA, will celebrate their fifth anniversary as a business this year.
This is what he had to say when asked why it is important that businesses do their bit for charity.
"If everybody gave a little, the world would be a better place," added Simon who was born in Macclesfield, and came back here to start a business.
"It is tough doing this during a cost of living crisis, but you can't think about that too much.
"I love being a business owner in Macclesfield. I think it is a good size and I love being surrounded by nature.
"Thank you to everyone who played their part in this."
Grindhouse still have some tattoos of the punctuation mark yet to do, with their artist Shannon Wild finishing off the charity project this weekend.
Suicide Awareness / Prevention UK volunteer Gemma Barnshaw helps organise the national event, and explained how it works.
"This incredible project involves tattoo studios offering semi-colon tattoos for a discounted price of £15 on the 5th of April to raise awareness and help prevent suicide," said Gemma.
"The project aims to get more people talking about their mental health, show people they aren't alone, reduce stigma, and ultimately prevent more lives from being taken. Some studios also choose to donate funds raised on the day to any mental health charity or CIC of their choice.
"Last year we had over 140 tattoo studios take part with approximately 5,370 people getting the semi colon tattoo, and around £39,572 was raised for various mental health charities and CICs. We're still totting up the total for this year yet, but we hope to raise even more.
"Some studios have actually extended the project across the whole week in order to reach even more people. We have created a Facebook group for more information.
"Thank you to Macclesfield's Acadia Tattoo Studio and Grindhouse Tattoo Productions. The first artist on board was Black Lamb Tattoo based at Acadia Tattoo Studio [Cadie], followed by Saint Heywood [Simon] (also based at Acadia).
"Thank you for helping us reach even more people and build solidarity in Macclesfield for reducing stigma surrounding mental health and preventing suicide."
See Also: Prestbury retail worker to take to the skies for charity
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