A CUT ABOVE: OPEL PRESENTS NEW VIVARO TO AWARD WINNING SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, HAIR TOGETHER

Opel Ireland has proudly presented a new Vivaro van to Hair Together, an award-winning social enterprise that is actively tackling unemployment, mental health challenges and social exclusion in Ballymun and North Dublin.

Founded by CEO, Eileen McHugh, Hair Together delivers programmes to schools and young people from Ballymun, creating positive opportunities through hairstyling, barbering, and personal development. The initiative also works with young people and women from across North Dublin who may have faced additional barriers such as addiction, involvement with the justice system, or other difficult life experiences.

The new van, provided by Opel, will be used for six months to support the initiative as it prepares to open its new, permanent premises in the heart of Ballymun.    

Opel Ireland has proudly presented a new Vivaro van to Eileen McHugh, founder and CEO of Hair Together, an award-winning social enterprise. The handover took place at Setanta GAA Club in Ballymun, where Eileen first conceived the idea of Hair Together.

Established in 2020, Hair Together was winner of the Social Entrepreneur Ireland Impact award 2022, also picking up the 2022 Kevin Murphy Icon Award, honouring every-day heroes in the hairstyling industry. Eileen was named Social Entrepreneur of the Year – Community Impact at the 2025 Image PwC Businesswomen of the Year Awards. Hair Together also recently received People+Planet First approval, a global verification aimed at creating sustainable jobs and green energy.

Pictured from left to right are: Kelsey Scully, educator at Hair Together; Eileen McHugh, CEO; Leah Avloniti, educator at Hair Together

Having had first-hand experience of drug addiction in her youth, inspirational Eileen has since carved out an international career in hair design that has taken her to the catwalks of Paris, Copenhagen and Milan. Eileen kept a promise to herself to set up a programme to provide real skills, supports and options for the more vulnerable in her community and thus Hair Together was born. To date more than 250 people have benefitted from the unique programme.

Eileen explains: “Since its inception, Hair Together has empowered hundreds of young people from Ballymun, and women who have experienced prison. By offering hairstyling, barbering, and personal development training, the initiative equips them with the practical skills and confidence needed to pursue meaningful educational and employment opportunities.”

With the proven success and fast-paced growth of the Hair Together programme, it quickly became clear that the enterprise needed a permanent home, having operated out of temporary headquarters for some time. A premises on Ballymun Main Street has been secured, that will be transformed this year into a permanent salon and personal development centre, copper fastening Hair Together future as a self-funding social enterprise and a centre of excellence. The world’s first trading-for-impact salon and academy will open this September.

The new van was delivered by Opel as the initiative celebrates five years and edges ever-nearer to launching the new home for Hair Together.

Eileen said: “I am beyond grateful for the use of the Opel Vivaro workhorse, which will assist us greatly every day in our busy lives. From supply pick-ups, to dropping off equipment for our new corporate events, it will make our lives much easier.”

Supported by Rethink Ireland and philanthropic donations, Eileen and her team are currently marketing a new corporate service for companies seeking team building activities through hairstyling fun. Already booked by AIB, Deloitte and leading motor distributor, Gowan Auto, companies who wish to support the initiative can find out more by contacting info@hairtogether.ie.