April News
Plea for a new home!
We are still desperate to find new accommodation – we have not been given an extension to stay on so the search is now imperative – can you think of anywhere locally that might work?
“Must haves” include:
Heat, light and power
Work rooms secure and lockable, because we need to leave equipment out
7 day access
Putney / Roehampton vicinity
Kitchen / bathroom facilities (could be shared)
We would consider places like sports halls, warehousing or large storage areas, hotel outhouses, church halls anything like that – please do look around your neighbourhood and see if you can find anywhere. Parking would be nice but not essential.
Please contact Rosie direct if you do think of something.
Headlines for the month:
Ukrainian Crisis:
We are all very aware of the dreadful things occurring in Ukraine and we have all been trying to find ways to help. Never truer than at the Scrubbery. Our main focus this month has been on supporting Kyiv Regional Hospital and other clinics in Kyiv, and the Lviv Field Hospital. We have sent 510 sets of scrubs from XS-XXXL, 80 nurse’s uniforms, 500 scrub hats. Alongside these we sent camoflauge netting which we are making from scrap fabrics and dyed bed sheets, and using football and hockey nets as the base to attach the fabric to. We are looking for people to help with this work.
We also had to research how best to get the items out to Ukraine and delivered safely into the right hands. Through our network with community champions, we found Olga Proto, whose brother is actually living out in Ukraine, and who has an active network there.
The items are being driven to Ukraine by Ukrainian drivers and are delivered to a bonded warehouse in Lviv. From there we are working with the Ukrainian Catholic University Volunteer Corps under supervision of Father Petro Terrleckuj. This is a highly reputable and well-established organisation. Father Petro releases the goods out of the warehouse and they are sent where we direct them or, in the case of the camouflage netting where it is most needed. The postal parcel service in Ukraine is currently free for the shipping of aid. Father Petro is in contact with all the hospitals, clinics and the military and has reliable networks for distribution.
Project Linus update:
If you come into the Hub, you will see lots of examples of the quilts that are either complete or nearing completion. Karen has been putting the backing on, and the first few are coming off the “production line”. We do still need people to come in and cut the squares if you have a spare hour or two – it helps us clear up the crates of scrap fabric (so we don’t have to take so much with us when we move) as well as recycling and up cycling for such a worthy cause. Come and join us it’s very therapeutic!
Scrubs for the Royal Hospital for Neuro Disability – machinists needed please!
We have had another request from this hospital to supply scrubs. Rosie will cut the kits out for 50 more trousers, and these will be matched with rainbow tops that are already made. Can you help out please? We really would appreciate help with making up scrubs – the final push to clear the decks – just let Rosie know if you can take on a few.
Visit by Queen Mary’s vaccination clinic
We have previously supplied items for this clinic and the matron, Maggie Murphy, asked if she could come and see us because we have supplied so many rainbow scrubs for them. She was so impressed and thanked Rosie and the team present for all we have done and asked if we could manufacture some tabards for the staff as well. These tabards are meant to be child friendly as they start vaccinating the 5-11 year olds. Needless to say, Rosie is working on that one.
Thank yous
We need to thank Michael Hill from Rackets Cubed for putting the call out for old/unused sports netting.
Charles Jude from LTA also heeded the call, and we will take delivery of several from that source which is great.
Tim Glenn from Enable in Battersea has also been invaluable in offering similar support.
Mike McSweeney, CEO of Fulham FC Foundation, donated nets as well.
Thank you to all of you for your help and support, it will be appreciated in Ukraine for sure.
Rosie is doing a Masterclass in Venice.
On a more uplifting note, we thought you might like to know about another facet to Rosie. She is about to go off to Venice for the Homo Faber exhibition organised by the Michelangelo Foundation. To give this some perspective you have to be invited as a Master Craftsman, by top international peers. Rosie will be demonstrating and showing her expertise in embroidery to a potential 40k attendees. The event is over 2 weeks and is intended to be an event that promotes cross cultural national living treasures with the aim of celebrating, showcasing and preserving excellence in craftsmanship. We wish her every success at the event.
If anyone is keen to find out more or to attend, Rosie has been given a few entrance tickets – please message her privately if you would like one.
Patcha Mama Project
This is an organisation that Nell Cox introduced us to, and which we plan to start supporting actively once we have moved. Its aim is to provide reusable sanitary pads for refugees around the world to contribute to eradicating period poverty. The group supplies the patterns and are looking to work within communities, and to engage with them for the benefit of all. They repurpose bits of old towelling and repackage it with a new absorbent fleece material at the front, but behind is the scraps of material that we have in abundance. Again, it clears up bins of old material instead of sending it to landfill, clears our storage areas, and provides vital hygiene products for those in need. If you want to contribute or help, just ask and we can show you what needs doing.
Bunting Scraps
Perhaps you are making bunting for the Jubilee, or a wedding, or just because you like bunting. We have a lot of coloured scraps perfect for this, please get in touch if you would like to take some away and give it new life. Lots of bright colours and patterns available.
Photo by Tom Pumford on Unsplash
Happy Easter to you all, but one final plea, we would ideally like to complete the remaining kits and ship them before we move.
To this end we need machinists to help out – sewing, cutting, assembling, admin – some volunteers are returning to normal work duties and others are unavailable, so if you know of anyone in your neighbourhood, or if any of your friends might like to come and join us – we would love to help them get involved.
Rosie is happy to provide instruction and guidance, and there are various experts in the group who could also be on hand to provide technical support – so don’t feel shy or that your sewing is not good enough. We have several people who have found new skills in lockdown!
We also need more thank you cards written for the wellbeing bags, can you help?