Three Grimsby businesses are collaborating to produce and donate face shields to front line critical workers in the care sector.
Rising to the national challenge to address the acute shortage of personal protective equipment, Total Signs and Graphics is manufacturing and delivering to North East Lincolnshire’s care homes, with support from fellow Grimsby business Mariner Packaging Ltd and enterprise support organisation, E-Factor.
James Cody, director at Total, said: “We wanted to do something to help. Unfortunately, we have had to furlough some workers, but we are still operational with a small team, so we decided to diversify so we can produce face shields for the key workers who really need them. We have been looking at different materials and design options, and production is underway.
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“There is a small number of us on site producing the masks and we are all local to Grimsby. We just want to help carers in our area in some way. It’s a team effort.”
More than a fortnight in development, with feedback from friends and family working on the front line, a design was settled on, with the team learning new skills as it is not a material it normally works with.
In addition to the Birchin Way team’s investment in materials and labour, production has been possible thanks to a generous donation.
Mr Cody spoke with E-Factor to discuss getting the protective visors to critical care workers, and the team liaised with care homes and with Simon Atkinson, director of Mariner. He volunteered his services and donated boxes and bubble wrap to package the goods for the care sector, as well as hand sanitiser bottles for the NHS.
Mr Atkinson said: “These are extraordinary times and as a company we are delighted to have been able to support these selfless people in health and social care.”
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Ace Homecare, based in Scartho, was the first to receive visors for its front line staff, who are providing personal care, dementia care, and medical support to vulnerable people.
Manager Richard Armstrong said: “It is great to see the creative ways that local businesses in North East Lincolnshire are helping each other out in these difficult circumstances. The visors will help us further protect our staff and the local community, and we are very thankful for them and to E-Factor for helping to facilitate this.”
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This week, Grimsby’s Quality Home Care, Yarborough House and Sacha Health; Immingham’s The Kensington and Waltham House will receive supplies.
A total of 170 have been manufactured and distributed since Friday, with additional shields to be sold to plough funding back into materials - no easy task to source.
Julie Fisher, E-Factor business advisor, worked with colleague Jeanette Logan. She said: “Local businesses are using their initiative and diversifying so they can use their expertise to help key workers and the community at a time when it is most needed.
“We are proud to be helping to facilitate this and want to thank Total Signs and Graphics and Mariner Packaging for all they are doing for the care sector.”