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Matters

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Deeping Scrubs Squad

Signing up to sew scrubs for the NHS is so much more than you could ever expect; the volunteers are not just there to help - they are involved because it also helps them. At a time when human contact is limited, and many of us find ourselves isolated, more alone than imaginable, or in a situation we deem unbearable, scrubs have given us purpose, companionship and a drive to be part of something wonderful.

As one of the co-ordinators for the Deepings area, I feel privileged to have met people from all walks of life and they generously opened their hearts and shared their stories, some heart-breaking, with me.

Report by Co-ordinator, Natalie Lumb

Meeting the people that benefit from the work we have done is warming; they are incredibly thankful and full of praise. This feels almost wrong; we adopted this role because we are so deeply appreciative of all they have sacrificed and continue to do for us and yet they show us their gratitude. The NHS is bursting with the most fantastic and passionate individuals, and helping them is an honour we are proud to behold. As a team, we have been able to help hospitals in Cambridge, Huntingdon, Peterborough, and beyond; keyworkers in care homes; Macmillan carers; specialist schools and nurseries, to name but a few.

In seven weeks, our team of thirty-five (alongside “Deeping Cares”) produced:

637 face coverings 272 scrub hats 132 headbands 121 ear savers 3 knitted teddies

Totalling

545 wash bags 271 scrub sets 123 knitted hearts 79 surgical gowns

2,183 items

None of us had ever met, prior to this, but we formed a virtual community and pulled together to be part of something amazing. Drop-offs on doorsteps is the extent of our contact, whilst social media profile pictures give us a peek into what each of us looks like. We all speak fondly of a day when we can meet in person and wonder if we will be able to match faces to the characters we have come to know and care for.

The “Scrubs Squad” hasn’t been exclusively for “sewists” either. Initially, when the need was at its greatest, we had generous offers from those willing to drive for us or help wherever they could; Helen, tracing out pattern after pattern for the sewing team around her position as a keyworker; Charlotte, a willing volunteer who quickly jumped aboard to co-ordinate with me and I’m so glad she did. The first few weeks were a blur between dropoffs, collections, distributing fabrics, new members arriving and needing the necessary resources to get started, and answering many questions at a time when we were still learning ourselves. Without Charlotte, I would have been drowning and we certainly hit the ground running. Within a day of joining, Charlotte and her family found themselves

with a house full of donated fabrics that needed sorting, items that needed delivering and a constant stream of requests … and they embraced it all. Then there was Gemma, who acquired a sewing machine and taught herself to sew, as she was so eager to support the NHS, despite being a keyworker herself. As Charlotte is now preparing to return to work, Hilary has kindly stepped in and is now my fellow co-ordinator; her contribution is invaluable and she has embraced the role with enthusiasm and compassion. We are still sewing scrubs and working to meet further requests in Huntingdon and Cambridge hospitals. We are also looking to get involved in more community projects, for example, the “Big Community Sew”, offering free face coverings to our local area.

If you can sew, knit or crochet, and wish to join us, please search for the Deeping Scrubs Squad on Facebook, where a warm, socially distant, welcome awaits you.

As part of an independent group, we cannot accept financial donations. However, we do have a wish list of items on Amazon that community groups and members of the public can purchase on our behalf. They will then be delivered to a central point for distribution to our team. You can find the details here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/

ls/248OH349EO9SO?ref_=wl

Please share or contact us by e-mail at

Natalie_Lumb@hotmail.co.uk.

Sue Barker’s Experience of Sewing Scrubs

When I saw the link for making scrubs, I made the decision to join, especially as it was the Easter holidays. I usually make patchwork quilts, so my sewing machine was already set up. I asked my neighbours for any duvet covers or sheets they could spare, and loads of material arrived at my doorstep. It took me a day to print and stick the pattern together and then cut out a scrub set. It took me four days to make my first set! It’s a long while since I had made clothes and the V neck was the hardest bit, (mine was a bit U-shaped!) Nevertheless, I have so far made eight sets but I haven’t got any faster as that V is still a killer!

To have a break from scrubs, I decided to look at face coverings and I made about fifty. Sam’s on Rycroft Avenue are going to have them in the shop for anyone to collect. We also worked with “Deeping Cares”. Dawn Burton, one of our multi-talented “sewists”, is also a member of this group, a non-profit making organisation, founded by Anne Smart who sadly died earlier this year. Nicola Joy and Jane Hayball knew it would be Anne’s wishes to continue, due to her passion for knitting and helping others, and so organised the making of items such as mask ear savers, premature baby hats and jackets, Christmas outfits for premature babies, as well as stars. Before lockdown, members would meet monthly at Braeburn Lodge for “knit and natter”. As the key worker requests grew and branched out into knitting and crochet projects, “Deeping Cares” were incredibly supportive and created many wonderful items and are still going strong. For more information, “Deeping Cares” have a Facebook page with up-to-date information about current projects, or Jane can be contacted at jane.hayball@btinternet.com.