Bucks technician supports the NHS producing much-needed PPE equipment
Bucks technician supports the NHS producing much-needed PPE equipment
Buckinghamshire New University Textiles and Fashion Technician Sasha Cabey is among a team of dedicated volunteers producing much-needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the NHS.
Sasha, whose work at the University involves ensuring students have everything they need for their courses, has turned her hand to sewing scrubs for doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals fighting the Covid-19 crisis on the front-line.
She said: "It feels great and I am very proud that that I can use my skills to help bridge the gap in scrub shortage for those in need, and make extras including drawstring bags, surgical caps, and fabric masks.
"We are very happy to step in and cover NHS staff's backs wherever they need support."
The 80-strong group of seamstresses and tailors, called East London Scrubs, in Newham, coordinate their efforts using Zoom video conferencing and WhatsApp, and are responding to more than 100 orders from nurses, medics, and healthcare professionals.
They are supplying scrubs to NHS staff in the area and those working at Newham University Hospital and NHS Nightingale Hospital London at the ExCeL Centre.
The work is being paid for through a GoFundMe appeal, asking for donations of £20 per uniform to cover material and transport and delivery costs.On the page, the group says: "There is currently a shortage in some areas and we are hoping that by setting up our own community garment making hubs we can make a difference little by little for our local doctors.
"Some NHS staff such as doctors and consultants don’t usually wear scrubs - but wearing scrubs is now the safest and easiest way for them to dress during this crisis.
"There is now a national shortage and we are hoping that by setting up our own small, local cottage industry in Hackney Wick we can help at least some of the doctors who live and work close to us."
The group's members include professional seamstresses and people who sew for a hobby, as well as volunteers with jobs in the fashion industry who are organising orders and taking charge of distribution.