Hartlepool school's new production line helps NHS staff

The team from The English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College, in Catcote Road, Hartlepool, have so far made more than 250 bags after spending weeks working on their technology

department’s sewing machines.

The staff, including Nicola Hutchinson, Susan Irvine, Jenna Sanderson, Tracy Williamson and Lucy Hannah, were inspired by the efforts of the department’s Steff Hunt and her colleagues in

making more than 2,000 visors for NHS workers.

Mrs Hutchinson, head of food and textiles, said: "I knew we had a lot of calico fabric in textiles that was intended for a bags for life project with Year 9.

"I contacted a few of my colleagues and asked how they felt about helping. Before I knew it, the five of us had our own production line."

Scrubs are the sanitary clothing worn by surgeons, nurses, physicians and other workers involved in patient care in hospitals.

At the end of a shift, the health workers can deposit their scrubs and wash them inside the drawstring bags at 60 degrees to avoid cross-contamination.

Mrs Williamson, a pastoral manager, said: "We have already delivered everything we have made with the majority going to North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust and large donations to Alice House Hospice and McKenzie Group Practice.

"We have had more requests, so staff have been donating bed linen for us to cut up and make more."

All of the bags are finished with a small tag which gives thanks to the frontline workers for everything they do and features the rainbow, an adopted symbol of the pandemic.

Mrs Hannah, a lead practitioner at the school, added: "What a wonderful project to be part of.

"What started as making a few bags has turned in to making hundreds and I can't think of a better way to spend my time while the school is closed."

Headteacher Stephen Hammond, praised his staff, adding: "We are delighted to be able to help the hard-pressed NHS and social care staff who are doing an amazing job on the frontline of the fight against coronavirus and while we can help we will."

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