“A chain of goodness” - Help a group of South London creatives and their neighbours continue in their project to sew more long-sleeve gowns for a local NHS clinic caring for Covid-19 patients.

YOUR DONATION WILL FUND:

-Materials for the gowns including fabric, velcro and ribbon

-Logistics including material deliveries and local deliveries

-Small payments to the team working to co-ordinate, cut, sew and deliver the gowns (for those who need it - a majority of the team are volunteers).

READ THE FULL STORY BELOW:

Good things happen when neighbours have a chat and it gives us hope these days.

Brenda Donnelly, a clinical lead nurse for South Southwark mentioned in passing to her neighbour Clara Breen that her colleagues were urgently needing long sleeve gowns. Hospitals were being prioritised, and nurses and GPs at the Covid-19 clinic where she works were having to manage without long sleeve protection.

On hearing the question “Can you make long sleeve gowns?” Clara Breen, a jeweller by trade, thought “I can’t sew… how could I possibly help?” It turns out that a strong urge to help and 22 friends, colleagues and neighbours can achieve a lot!

In close collaboration with milliner Karen Henriksen, the three came up with an initial plan - to sew the gowns from a polyester/cotton mix, using a pattern from the Fashion Girls for Humanity charity. Polycotton is a compromise in terms of protection but is affordable and means the gowns can be washed at high temperature after each use. They are being used daily by nurses and GPs caring for Covid-19 patients in the borough of Southwark, and worn on top of scrubs in conjunction with single use plastic aprons.

Thanks to individual makers at Cockpit Arts studios and neighbours helpfully spreading the word, an enthusiastic team of 22 quickly came together.

The group is made up of fabric cutters, stitchers and helpers - all safely working from home. Some team members are on furlough, while others are working, juggling home schooling and families and/or running businesses - meanwhile still managing the brilliant sewing work on the side. The team has now produced over 120 long sleeve gowns.

Among the team there is a strong sense of giving back, perfectly captured by bespoke tailor Jennie Adamson: “My sister is an anesthetist in an intensive care unit, very much on the frontline working overtime and having to stay at a hotel, away from her husband and children (her husband suffers from very bad asthma). So, although not doing anywhere near as much as her, I feel that sewing these gowns is the best way that I can use my skills to help out.”

-Contact: gowns-for-nhs@clarabreen.com

-Short video about the South Southwark Covid-19 community clinic where the gowns are being used.

-Pattern donated by Fashion Girls for Humanity .

-Cockpit Arts makers involved are: Clara Breen (jeweller), Karen Henriksen (milliner), Helen Johannessen (ceramicist), Amanda Ross (botanical artist), Jennie Adamson (bespoke tailor), Annette Bugansky (ceramic designer), Aimee Furnival (product designer, Another Studio), Bryony Phipps Wardle (knit designer), Jesse Noy (leatherworker, Noyau) and Yusuf Osman (leather goods designer, Yussico).

-Local community team members include: Lizzy Rugman (Accountant and mother of a cheeky 17 month old), Suzie Freeman (Full-time mummy & upholsterer), Shana Maier-Taplin (Triathlete mom of three), Nicola Curran (Primary school teacher), Carolyn Trendall (Retired interior designer), Melanie Turner (Teacher of design, technology, fashion and textiles) and Charlotte Lucas (Costume Supervisor & Plant Lover).

If you are inspired to sew similar gowns or scrubs in your local area, you may be able to join forces with a group via national voluntary network Scrub Hub.