University of Lincoln’s Expert Volunteers Now Making Scrubs (and 700 Safety Visors a Week) for Healthcare Workers and Frontline Staff

The University of Lincoln is providing its expertise and facilities to produce scrubs for frontline workers.

In partnership with For The Love of Scrubs; a nationwide project started by nurse Ashleigh Lindsell from Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, the University is increasing its contribution to help frontline workers in the fight against Covid-19.In addition, the University of Lincoln School of Engineering is now producing 700 safety visors each week.

The visors are being provided to frontline workers including GPs, pharmacists, care workers and supermarket employees. The University donated £50,000 to get the 3D printing project underway, and since then more than £60,000 has been raised from more than 1500 supporters through JustGiving.

The first visors have been met with thanks from NHS staff on social media, with tweets such as: “Message from doctors on the frontline – Thank you Lincoln Uni @unilincoln for the PPE. Very much appreciated. @ULHT_News”.

Fiona Robertson, a garment technician within the School of Design has opened the pattern cutting and manufacturing studios at the University of Lincoln to make scrubs with a team of volunteers. Fiona said: “I heard about the project and thought we have all this space and equipment at the University that could be used to produce scrubs. It’s a large space, so we can observe social distancing while we work, and it’s good for us to be doing something positive during this difficult time too.

“If we all do what we can, then we will move through this situation faster. We have the facilities and staff to be able to help, therefore we help – no question.”

The team of volunteers began cutting out the scrubs pattern for other volunteer sewers in Lincolnshire who may not have the space or equipment to do so. The University of Lincoln team are now sewing and producing as many scrubs as possible to help healthcare staff.

For The Love of Scrubs has quickly attracted nationwide support with more than 20,000 people now volunteering their help to produce scrubs for hospital workers.