Henrietta Parker Trust courses support the NHS

The Covid 19 pandemic has had a long-lasting impact on all of us. The contributions of everyday heroes in the community should neither be underestimated nor go unrecognised as we review the collective efforts of people who used their individual talents and skills to contribute to community action, bringing relief and a sense of collective responsibility.

The group from the Molesey Centre used their sewing and needlework skills to produce medical grade PPE in a co-ordinated effort where they selflessly gave their free time and know how to support the NHS.

Our learner, Jill, attends sewing classes at the Molesey Centre. She tapped into her community network and co-ordinated the local effort, transforming disused bedsheets and linen into medical grade scrubs, fit for purpose at Kingston Hospital. This would not have happened without the Henrietta Parker Trust whose purpose was to support local initiatives just like this since its creation.

Jill said "At the beginning of lockdown, in early April 2020, the NHS was desperately in need of PPE. Members of the Wednesday class of the Henrietta Parker sewing class, together with their tutor Mei-Wen Wang-Gilges, were making laundry bags for NHS nurses. These were used for their soiled uniforms, so that they could bring them home for washing in the bag, without the risk of contamination. They needed fabric, so a call went out to the neighbourhood and soon my garage was full of sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers!

It was suggested that there was enough fabric for scrubs and, not having sewn for 40 years, I volunteered to coordinate a sewing operation, on the condition that tutor Mei-Wen would agree to be in charge of making. I bought a sewing machine, thinking this would be my chance to revive my sewing skills.

I had no idea of what would be involved. The first job was to find a large room for cutting and distributing the cut scrubs to the team of seven. Although all churches were shut at this time, St Paul's Church agreed to allow us to use the Parish Room. My next job was to source pattern paper and sewing supplies, which was not easy given the sudden surge in demand countrywide. A friendly printer printed the patterns. At this point, we had the opportunity to join the volunteer effort coordinated by Kingston Hospital, which supplied the pattern, instructions, and fabric to make medical grade scrubs to their specifications. It was a different pattern, so once again our friendly printer saved the day. We gave the sheets to other local scrubs groups in order to concentrate on this project.

This small team of 7 workers contributed 66 pairs of scrubs to Kingston Hospital. This would not have been possible without Mei-Wen's expertise and kind guidance to the group who were, with one exception, all members of her needlework class at the Molesey Centre.

Despite my intentions, my new sewing machine remained in its box for the duration of the project! I was too busy running around delivering fabric and dealing with any requirements of the sewing team. However, it gave me the spur to get back to something I love, and I am now enjoying reviving my sewing skills and learning new ones by attending the informative classes at the Molesey Centre with Mei-Wen.

Jill said, "This course helped me get through lockdown."

A tremendous effort from Jill and the team of needle-workers making a difference that was much appreciated by Kingston Hospital NHS.