November Update
What we are, and have been, working on this month:
Well its been a busy month for Rosie in particular, but also in terms of publicity for the Scrubbery and our amazing team of volunteers.
We had a film crew come in to film the operation mid-month. They were somewhat cagey as to why they were doing it, but we can now reveal that it was because Rosie had been nominated as a Mayoral Borough of Wandsworth Civic Award nominee. The crew came in and filmed all aspects of the work – from the cutting table, to embroidery, to wellbeing bags, to kit bundling and despatch. This film was left with no sound, as that was intended to be supplied after, however they did interview some of the team – Pam, Jane, Hilary and of course Rosie as they worked on their tasks. These segments are included in a director's cut which you can see here. For those who were not present at the awards, here is the first short film – we hope you enjoy it, and realise your contribution even if you were not on film that day. It is very much a team effort at the Scrubbery. The film crew also posted a short behind the scenes film to give a different perspective.
Mayor of Wandsworth Civic Awards – as described by Lucy Hawes who went along for the occasion as our special reporter – thank you Lucy for a very erudite and heartfelt piece:
“At times like these, when the world seems to be full of nothing but gloom and suffering and one almost needs to brace oneself before watching the news, it is ever more important to focus on the many positive things that are also happening around us. Last week I was lucky enough to be able to do just that, when I attended the Civic Awards Ceremony in Wandsworth Town Hall, which the Mayor of Wandsworth hosts each year to shine a spotlight on people who have made an exceptional contribution to day to day life in the borough. It was a heart-warming, life-affirming, humbling evening that highlighted the selfless, unstinting and often courageous work of a group of people who have achieved incredible things over the past 18 months. I was attending because amongst the recipients was our very own Rosie. If anyone wondered why Rosie’s response to the question: ‘why is there a film crew in the Scrubbery?’ was rather circumspect, it was because she had to keep her nomination a secret, and the film, which showcases all that Rosie has achieved since the Pandemic began, was made to be shown before she went up to collect her award from The Mayor of Wandsworth, Councillor Richard Field. Rosie’s family were all present to watch her, as were Alex Voice and Tracey Morant – both of whom have played a huge role behind the scenes at The Scrubbery – and Fleur Anderson MP, who has been so very supportive of all we are doing. It was with pride and lumps in our throats that we watched Rosie shake hands with The Mayor and collect a rather elegant, engraved glass bowl.
Anyone who has had any dealings with The Scrubbery will agree that Rosie is utterly deserving of this recognition and we applaud her for her vision, determination and tireless commitment.”
Lucy Hawes.
That event was preceded by Rosie going up to town, to attend the Singer Sewing Machines Sewing Heroes Finalists lunch with Patrick Grant one of the judges from The Sewing Bee television programme.
Nominations were open to the whole of the country. There were only 3 finalists including our Rosie. Although it was quite a involved affair with lunch and refreshments, Rosie did get to talk to Patrick, and to explain her role and the work we do. She was nominated because of her incredible efforts to support frontline health workers during the pandemic, whilst also supporting their own communities. The Singer family were in attendance and have proved to be great advocates of our efforts, and were keen to promote The Scrubbery to all. It is worth noting that the Scrubbery has supplied items to ALL London NHS Trusts and others around the country as well – quite incredible really. So a massive thank you to all those who make it possible, your help for others has made a difference to all of us. Patrick’s comments were "it’s not an exaggeration for Singer to call Rosie, Louise and Naomi heroes and their local communities as well, so the whole sewing community should be very proud of them and all of the other amazing nominees."
You can see the Singer Sewing Machine interview here. Wandsworth Times also covered this event with an article.
Well done everyone for your continued efforts and time, none of it is possible without you.
“Important Dates to note:
The last Machine Team Day for this year is Tuesday 21st December, 2021.
The first Machine Team Day for 2022 is Tuesday 4th January, 2022.”
This months Meet the Team selection:
Evie Boettcher:
Evie came to us via her mother Broni Lloyd Edwards, who you may recall has taken many lovely photographs for The Scrubbery. Evie is doing her Gold Duke of Edinburgh award currently whilst studying at Esher College. She is taking Psychology, Maths and 3D design, and whilst her options are open, she would like to explore careers in Interior Design or Architecture. The Gold award entails completing five different elements - volunteering, physical, skill, expeditional and residential projects. Apparently you have up until you are 25 to complete the award but Evie wants to push ahead and get it done in one year!
When she was doing her Silver DoE award she was part of the Ibstock School volunteering group and that was her first introduction to the Scrubbery. She has come back to complete her Gold volunteering at the Scrubbery where she has committed to two hours every other week for the volunteering element. Whilst she admits that at the moment she can’t sew, she is hoping to learn under Rosie’s leadership. On her first visit she got stuck into folding and packing scrub tops for delivery, and generally helping out where she could. For the physical element she will be kayaking down the Wye, having done wet walks cross country on Dartmoor, and the New Forest for the other two levels, and hopes to be able to keep her feet dry and warm this time.
When not at school or doing her DoE awards she likes to bake and take her two dogs for walks. Please say hello if you find Evie at the Scrub Hub, and she can update you on all the other aspects of the award.
Jane Andrews:
Jane is the Pioneer Curate for St Mary's and All Saints' in the Parish of Putney, which keeps her somewhat busy but she still makes time every other Friday to come in and do her bit at the Hub. Jane was present when the team came in to film The Scrubbery in action as outlined above and also spoke very eloquently, even though she professes to be uncomfortable in a centre stage role.
Jane has lived in Balham for the last eighteen years with her husband and rather mature cat Pompi. She is newly ordained, having finished her three year training course at Westcott House in Cambridge – the Church of England Theological College. Once her training was completed, she now has three years to complete the practical element, hence being assigned to the Parish of Putney. Her role is a very new and novel one – the Church has recognised a need to reach out and be part of the wider community, the older model of people coming to the church is not necessarily the best way of engaging with the residents of any community. Jane is keen to find out all about the Parish, what the needs and drivers are of all the different communities, how she and the church can engage with people, have the spiritual conversations, and create opportunities to discuss, listen and share ideas around the big questions in life and spirituality in general. One of these avenues is coming to the Scrubbery, meeting some of Putney’s residents, and sharing in tasks, getting to know the parish, and listening to what people think and discuss.
Jane’s commitments are many, but she has signed up to come in every other week to help sew hats, scrunchies and has helped with the assembling of the wellbeing bags. She is working up to sewing a whole scrub top. Please do come and introduce yourselves if you see her at the Hub.
Activities
Rainbow tops have been sent out to Newham Hospital, Royal London Hospital, and Whipps Cross Hospital.
Rainbow tops have been delivered to Queen Mary’s Hospital for their vaccination centre
Wellbeing bags were delivered to Springfield Hospital as well as the Newham Hospital.
Through past connections in the film industry, Rosie was contacted to see if she would like the uniforms and scrubs from a medical drama. We have passed nurses tunics and uniforms onto Wandsworth GP Federation and forty-nine white lab coats, worth £989, to St. George's Pathology Lab, who will distribute them across South London.
Mohammed came to collect the lab coats this weekend
Rackets Cubed – this is a London based charity that delivers integrated sport, education and nutrition programs to improve the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged young children and raise their aspirations. They give tennis lessons, STEM lessons and a meal and they were looking for donations of balls for youngsters who don’t get the chance to play sports. Rosie of course did some networking and look what she got organised courtesy of the International Tennis Federation, who are across the corridor from the Scrubbery – an absolute avalanche of tennis balls for the cause:
3522 standard tennis balls
534 green beginner balls for adults and older children
288 orange balls for youngsters
An uncounted massive bag of foam balls for the tiny tots
So a massive thank you to the donors – what a difference that will make to youngsters in Wandsworth and across the country.
Rackets Cubed team collecting their tennis ball bounty which had given Rosie much trouble to calculate the cubic capacity to be able to organise transport.
Thank You Department
A huge thank you to Jacky and Neil Jordan, who have been sorely tested this month. They very kindly volunteered to deliver 36 bags of donations, plus coats and shoes for Care4Calais who were collecting for Afghan refugees in London. Unfortunately they were unable to find anyone to accept them at the other end, so they ended up taking them home and filling their dining room with them all, but every time they needed to use their dining room they had to go back in the car, and vice versa if they needed the car it had to be all unpacked and rehoused – what a palaver, but they were very patient and understanding, until all the items could be delivered. Definitely this months’ heroes!
This month we are searching for a couple of things – have you got any you can spare or donate – they really would be appreciated!
Corded elastic – 10 / 12 ml sizes, we need the for the scrub hats, so even small lengths of 7cm would be most useful, maybe you have some lengths in your sewing box? It needs to be flat not round, but length is not important, anything would be appreciated
Thank you cards / Notelets – we are short of cards to write and send out in the well being bags, so please have a look in your top draw and bring in anything you might have spare.
Any spare time to help either deliver or sew scrub tops/ bags/ hats, just pop in or call Lucy to arrange a delivery of your items.