Sheffield's craft community pulls together to help NHS

Polka Dott, a craft shop in Ecclesfield, had recently celebrated a successful first year of trading when it was forced to close last month.

It wasn’t just bad news for Emma Fowler and her mum Debra Travis, who own the shop. A host of crafters who rent a space at Polka Dott were also affected.

“Some rely on the money they make with us to live, so it is a very difficult time,” said Emma, from Chapeltown.

“This, however, has woken something amazing in all of us.”

And it involves using their different skills to do help front line workers.

Emma said: “My friend Jayne Lowe, a ward sister in charge of 85 NHS staff, was worried nurses’ ears were becoming sore from wearing facial masks.

“She had seen an idea of headbands with buttons on that they would wear to attach the masks to, instead of their ears. I got straight on it and made as many as I could.”

Emma has since made more than 300 headbands for front line staff across Sheffield and South Yorkshire – all free of charge - with material to make 200 more on order.

She and the other crafters have auctioned off their products to pay for the materials needed.

“We have had so many lovely messages from people saying it’s really helped their ears,” Emma said.

They are now putting together care packages to meet the needs of health workers, who have asked for lip balms and hand creams to help their dry skin.

Kate said: “Melissa Chappell of Balms by Melissa is making and donating hand and lip balm, Niamh Clayton of Beeswax & Bubbles is donating soap bars, Kate from Hilda & Dolly will be printing a positive message on the bags and we will be providing a handmade wash bag or headband.

They currently have enough items for 30 care packages, and hope to put together more than 100.

Kate said: “Everyone’s just working together. It’s really, really amazing.

“We wanted to give back to people who have helped us.”