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Local needleworkers are putting their skills to good use and making medical wear, including scrubs and hospital gowns, following "cries for help" from care staff.
Founded by Aida de la Herran and Rebekah Key, ‘Scrubs Jersey’ is a dedicated team of about 20 seamstresses.
Aida and Rebekah, both members of the JerseyMasks4All group where islanders have been making cloths masks for each other, decided to create the group after seeing “several cries of help” from hospital staff for extra scrubs.
Knowing how to make clothes, Rebekah thought she could have a go at making scrubs.
Pictured: 20 scrubs have been made so far.
She and Aida then created the group and invited other islanders with a knack for sewing, including a member of the Jersey Amateur Dramatic Club (JADC) and several members from 'JerseyMasks4All'.
There are now about 50 members of the group between those who can sew and those requesting scrubs.
20 sets of scrubs have so far been made, while another 20 are in production. In addition, 40 bags have been created.
Pictured: Members of the group are also making medical gowns.
The group has also created 40 bags, and recently started making hospital gowns following a request. So far, 35 of those have been made.
Aida and Rebekah are coordinating the production, cutting material and delivering them to the different seamstresses.
“It’s a real team effort, there are only a few of us,” Rebekah said. “Some are very experienced; some people can sew really will and there are others who just want to help. People are just doing their best for the cause.”
The group has received several donations of materials since launching, including 11 bags of sheets and bedding from Leanne Landers of the ‘Coronavirus Jersey Acts of Kindness’ Facebook page and bedding from the Monterey Hotel.
In addition, Jersey Hospice Care offered the group a 30% discount on sheet and duvet covers.
“We had an amazing response after we put a call for help, people have been so generous,” Rebekah said.
“The situation that we find ourselves in is one that we would not want to find ourselves; but people are rallying together and try and do their best, especially to look after those who look after the covid-19 patients.”
So far, the Scrubs Jersey team has been supplying four care homes across the island. As Rebekah said, anyone is welcome to get in touch with the group if they need any medical wear sewn.
Pictured: 'Scrubs Jersey' is on the lookout for more islanders who can sew.
The group is also on the hunt for more nimble-fingered islanders to join their ranks.
“We really need more sewers,” Rebekah said. “If anybody saws please join the group.”
“It’s a really surreal situation,” she added. “We are literally fighting against something we cannot see.
“The quicker we all do our job and give to the community, the better. Hopefully this will give extra protection for the nurses.”
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