COLLEGE STAFF CRAFT FACE COVERINGS AS PART OF WELCOME BACK STRATEGY

Image Caption: An image of two rows of black protective face coverings with a white logo on them saying NWSLC

An IT tutor with a passion for machine embroidery has helped to create hundreds of branded face coverings for use by staff returning to work at North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) campuses. Learning technology co-ordinator Wendy used her home sewing equipment to re-create the college logo in white thread on the smart black face coverings that are being included in a ‘Welcome Back’ pack for college staff as they return to campuses following the easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions. 

The face coverings are not intended as a replacement for observing the college’s social distancing guidelines but are being provided for colleagues who need to wear them travelling to and from work, and for those who may wish to wear them on site. 

Wendy worked with Rachel Parker from the college’s HR team to source and cut the fabric for the face coverings, and Adam Humphries from the Estates team delivered the materials in batches to around ten colleagues working remotely as part of a ‘Sewing Bees’ group. The face coverings will be added to a ‘Welcome Back’ pack that has been devised for staff to help them adjust to the new arrangements now in place across college campuses to promote social distancing and help stop the spread of the coronavirus. 

Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive of NWSLC said, “In line with government advice, we have been carefully facilitating the safe return of our students and staff and have worked hard to develop thorough plans to ensure that the physical environment is as safe as possible for everyone returning to our campuses.  

“The health, safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and their families is our number one priority and will remain the first principle in any plan to extend the opening of the college. We have carried out a range of rigorous risk assessments and activity is underway to address measures designed to increase safety and maintain social distancing as far as possible.”  

Wendy, a machine embroidery and sewing enthusiast whose passion for crafting has led her to invest in the machinery to make cushions and gifts at home, was approached by the principal and asked if she would help to produce the bespoke face coverings. Wendy said, “I do a great deal of embroidery anyway so was only too glad to help. It was quite time-consuming to copy the logo and embroider over 400 individual pieces, and my colleague Rachel had a difficult time getting hold of the elastic which seems to be in short supply just now.”   

All prospective students who have applied to start a college course in September 2020 have been assured that they will be offered a place. NWSLC remains very keen to hear from students still wishing to apply for college places for next year and details about how to make an application are available on its website. 

Marion Plant added, “We’re very grateful to Wendy, Rachel, Adam and all the Sewing Bees for their dedicated work in creating these special college face coverings. We want to help all our staff feel confident to return to the college, and the welcome pack is just one of a number of measures we have devised to ensure their safety.”