Hartlepool student turning old T-shirts into headbands to help our key workers fight the pandemic

After Emily Collins, a university student at Manchester Metropolitan, was sent home to study during the lockdown, she decided to use her spare time to help those working in health care during this difficult time.

She already runs a Facebook sewing page Stitches and Garms and chose to put her sewing skills into good use by making headbands that would relieve the pressure of PPE masks on the ears.

Starting her project a month ago, the 20-year-old has already made around 50 headbands for key workers across the country.

Although the university has closed to students, Emily is still studying for online exams and making the headbands in her spare time.

The headbands are free of charge and are posted out to those who request them via her Facebook page.

Emily, from High Tunstall, said: “I study primary education at university in Manchester but had to come home with all of this happening.

“I put a post on Facebook to say I am making headbands which have buttons attached to relieve some of the pressure off wearing a mask day in and day out, especially for all key workers.

“Around 10 people have got in touch so far and wanted five to 10 headbands each, so I have made around 50 and sent them to key workers up and down the country working in hospitals and care homes.

“Loads of family members have been donating old T-shirts which I use to make them.”

And the response to the headbands has been nothing short of positive from key workers who have said they have helped to relieve the pressure of mask wear on long shifts.

Emily continued: “Everyone has said they have been really helpful and it’s nice to to know that they are helping.

“It’s just nice to be able to do something for others.”

If anyone would like to order headbands contact Emily via her Facebook page @stitchesandgarms

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