Peterborough textile teachers working to help protect NHS frontline staff

Lisa Mitchell and Hanna Senior, textile teachers at Arthur Mellows Village College have created the Helping with Headbands’ initiative. The pair are making/sewing headbands for nurses and care workers to wear under their visors as it was reported that the visors were hurting their ears.

Lisa said: “Nurses are already struggling with really sore ears after wearing masks throughout their shifts. They are dreading putting them on!

“So it got us thinking – could we create headbands with fastenings to take the pressure directly off their ears? They work so hard already and in really difficult circumstances, and we just wanted to do whatever we can to make things a little bit better for them”.

More than 100 bands have been made so far and there is no sign of stopping just yet. Their work has also now extended to making laundry bags for dirty hospital clothing to avoid contamination.

Roger Watson, Assistant Headteacher at Arthur Mellows Village College in Peterborough commented, ‘We have been inspired by the work carried out by colleagues at Jack Hunt School. I had no doubt our staff would want to pull together and help, but I have to say I have been proud to see the energy and enthusiasm that they have shown, not to mention the ideas! It is a team effort and we hope to keep production going. I really would encourage other schools and colleges to get involved’.

The Textiles teachers have set up a group on Facebook for fellow sewing bees and have signed up many volunteers across the country at this point who are all making laundry bags and headbands with them. It is tricky to keep track of the number that are been made! But one hospital has already requested 250 bags which they are busy working on.

The public Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Helping-with-headbands-105333797800916/), which was set up recently and gained 100 followers in less than 24 hours, provides additional information for anyone who wants to see what Lisa and Hanna are doing, help or ask for requests.

They have now received requests from over 10 NHS hospitals, alongside multiple private health care providers, for both headbands and bags. These include, but are not limited too; Coventry hospital, Preston hospital, St Mary’s hospital Paddington, Leicester hospital, Princess Alexandra hospital Harlow, and Addenbrookes London.

They have received donations from multiple local fabric shops including Plush, Riverside Beads, Stamford Sewing Shop and House of Anna Couture. They have also teamed up with Casterton College who have been 3D printing buttons for them!

Both Lisa and Hanna have been quite overwhelmed with the support and are so pleased they are able to support the NHS in some way.

If parents, grandparents or students wish to support this cause and make products for this ‘Helping with Headbands’ initiative, visit arthurmellows.peterborough.sch.uk

Completed products or donations of fabric can be brought to the central collection point at Arthur Mellows Village College, each Monday between 10.00 am and 12.00 noon.