Dr Gray's takes delivery of Moray sewing hands' scrubs
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SEWING machines are abuzz around Moray as around 400 volunteers work "flat out" to make scrubs for local hospital staff.
In a seamless feat of co-ordination, on Friday, April 17, the Moray Scrubs project dropped off the first 52 sets of scrubs made by volunteers for staff at Elgin's Dr Gray's Hospital after mobilising only at the beginning of the month.
Around half of these were made by Lossiemouth volunteers at what has become "Scrubs HQ" – who have now also started stitching masks.
A second batch of scrubs was due to be delivered to Dr Gray's this week.
Co-ordinated by Shetlander Sylvia Jamieson, a Moray Council community support officer from Lossiemouth, Moray Scrubs was inspired into being by the Shetland Scrubs project, which called on volunteer stitchers to make scrubs for staff at the Gilbert Bain Hospital.
Fellow-Shetlander Marjorie Moar, who works in supplies at Dr Gray's and has been a crucial cog in the wheel for Moray Scrubs, took delivery of the first batch.
With advice and support from Shetland Scrubs, including the use of its patterns, Moray Scrubs has woven together strands of the many sewing volunteer groups which have sprang up to provide for their local NHS centres put under immense pressure by the coronavirus pandemic.
The group has linked with around 400 stitchers across Moray, Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen and the Highlands. It equips volunteers with patterns, which can be printed on A4 paper, cut out and taped together. The scrubs are made using cotton or poly-cotton, which is washable at 90C for infection control.
Of the first batch of scrubs delivered last week, 24 sets were made by the well-oiled production line of Lossiemouth-based stitchers, headed up by Maureen Halket, owner of Unique Ladieswear, and Lindsey Wyllie, who runs an alterations and sewing business based at the shop.
The Lossie operation involves 26 volunteers, generously supported by the community with donations of duvet covers and sheets, which Maureen and Lindsey pre-cut and hand out to a network of local stitchers for completion.
Maureen said: "I think I'm working harder than I ever have.
"It's wonderful how the community is getting together, and the project itself is helping keep people focused at this time. In some ways it is like that World War Two spirit with everyone pitching in to do their bit.
"And hopefully, after this is past, people will remember all the local businesses who have stepped up to help."
Sylvia, whose full-time day job involves supporting COVID-19 community groups in the Lossiemouth and Forres areas, said the volunteers have been manically busy.
She added: "We have a network of drop-off points across Moray, which we have now extended into Aberdeenshire and Highland – Elgin, Burghead, Hopeman, Lossiemouth, Cullen, Keith, Lhanbryde, Aberlour, Forres, Findhorn, Nairn, New Deer and Ellon.
"Volunteer drivers transport scrubs and materials between pick-up points, and collect and deliver where necessary from folk who are isolating.
"Many communities already had small groups of stitchers working together on scrubs projects, and others have come together over the past couple of weeks. We know there are groups of stitchers working together, whilst practicing safe social distancing measures, in Findhorn, Fochabers, Glenlivet, Rothiemay, Forres, Buckie and Lossiemouth, to name but a few.
"One lady stitching in Elgin has told us of her neighbours helping her to cut out and put together patterns to speed up her production – there is a real sense of community around the scrubs project."
Moray Scrubs has had stitchers from other parts of Scotland, including Arisaig, Carrbridge and Angus, requesting the patterns so they too can launch groups to support their local NHS centres.
Sylvia added: "Other NHS centres, including some GP practices in Moray, and centres in Highland and Moray, have been in touch requesting scrubs, as well as a care centre. There is also a need for scrubs at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
"Given the level of support and numbers of stitchers, we are hoping to pass on scrubs to some – if not all – of these."
Sylvia can be contacted by email at morayscrubs@gmail.com.
