A BEAUTICIAN is remembering her roots by helping those who have come from similar backgrounds as herself.
Katy West opened her business DASH Beauty and Training Academy a week before Christmas 2020 but then had to close until April 2021 due to coronavirus restrictions.
The 32-year-old, who grew up on the Shaw Road estate in Oldham, only got into the industry at the age of 28 after facing difficulties in her life, but after completing a beauty therapy course, she has turned her life around for the better.
She has also studied the "law of attraction", a philosophy to introduce positive thoughts in her life, to help her thrive and inspire others.
Beauty treatments and beauty training courses are offered at the shop for everyone, whatever their age or experience.
And now the business has teamed up with Oldham housing association Great Places Housing Group to help its tenants – some of whom have come from difficult backgrounds like Katy – to forge careers for themselves.
BEAUTY: A customer being treated in training
TREATMENT: Academy staff learning their trade
PREMISES: DASH Beauty and Training Academy in Royton
Katy said: "Doing the beauty therapy course got me out of the situation I was in at the time.
"I also worked to have a better mindset through the law of attraction.
"I am very passionate about helping people and it is great to go into partnership with Great Places to do that."
LEARNING: Katy West, centre, speaking to academy students
OWNER: Katy West
As well as training Great Places clients about beauty therapy to help them find employment, Katy and her team will also encourage them to make positive changes to their lives and remind them it does not matter what backgrounds they have come from in order to enjoy success.
Katy's older sister Gemma, 36, and mum Mandy, who work at the premises, will also be playing leading roles in helping with the scheme.
Great Places partnerships manager, Rebecca Cremin, added: "Great Places Housing Group are delighted to be working in partnership with DASH to provide opportunities for our customers to train at DASH which will give them the skills to establish a career in the beauty industry.
"We will also provide additional support from our employability team to ensure they receive the support they need to succeed."
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