Denise Simkins runs up PPE with Gnosall Sewing Group

Keen sewer, Denise has joined the Gnosall Sewing Group as they support the ‘Scrubs for Stoke’ hub in producing and distributing scrubs, scrubs bags and other useful items which are essential during this challenging time.

One of the care providers who have received some of Denise's creations is The Manor House Nursing Home who employ a number of Health and Social Care learners from the college.

Denise said: “I joined the group and started making sets of scrubs and also scrubs bags, which reduce the chance of infection when travelling between the workplace and home. I have also made headbands with buttons on to reduce the damage the elastic is doing from constant wearing of face masks all day. There is endless enthusiasm and the standard of sewing is high and we are so grateful to the residents of Gnosall and other local benefactors, who have been generous in providing funds so that our work can continue.

“I started providing admin support for the group in the village as well as sewing, to try and co-organise everything and I then took up the role of co-ordinator for the village. We now have a group of 35 ladies who are sewing, which is amazing. I now mainly coordinate on behalf of the group to ensure that all of the ladies have got sufficient fabric and patterns, plus haberdashery. I am lucky to be joined by two other ladies who help me with the logistics of producing and distributing the items we make. To give you an idea of numbers, last week we sent 32 sets of scrubs to the ‘Scrubs for Stoke’ hub. In the very near future, we will have produced 200 sets of scrub. We are so grateful to the residents of Gnosall and other local benefactors who have been generous in providing funds so that our work can continue.”

Well done to everyone involved and keep up the good work!