So like many folks, as lock down hit, my work slowed to a stop. I started various DIY projects at home, (and I do have a great looking garden now), but I found it hard to settle. This was after all not a holiday but a national emergency.
I was introduced to a group of volunteers here in Cornwall who were sewing re-usable cloth masks to support the very real PPE shortages at the time. Now, I’m no sewist, but I could see the need for coordination. Over a five day period I recruited a 15 strong “behind the scenes team” and established:
- A website and social media
- Administration systems for orders and registrations
- Finance and fundraising to ensure cost was not prohibitive to taking part
- A team of sewing mentors to support the making of masks to an internationally recognised pattern
- A set of principles and way of working which promoted collaboration, inclusion and safety throughout.
In just 6 weeks the group supplied over 8000 masks to key workers in Cornwall and reached over 16000 people through social media. I gave several local radio interviews along the way. The whole project was run entirely by volunteers, (approximately 700) and still answers calls for help now. I also developed a whole new skill set around using Zoom and Teams!
Radio Interview
You can also listen to one of my radio interviews here
For more information see cornwallclothmasks.co.uk