As Covid-19 became a pandemic in 2020, Britain's NHS became overwhelmed by the volume of patients arriving into hospitals around the country.
The loose and comfortable uniform known as ‘scrubs’ became an everyday wear item as stricter infection control measures were put in place.  The frequent clothing changes required (along with the incineration of Covid-facing scrubs) meant that existing stock levels were insufficient.  Suppliers struggled to meet demand, and laundry services were unable to quickly turn around this sudden lift in volume.

Across the UK, hundreds of sewing groups began to turn their attentions to making emergency supplies of scrubs to help the NHS.  One of the most well-known was established by an English nurse, Ashleigh Linsdell, who established a Facebook group to encourage makers to unite to make scrubs for frontline workers across the UK.  

Encouraged by these efforts a small group of us set up the Norfolk Scrubs Volunteers, and a full regional network was established to make and supply scrubs to hospital and healthcare staff across the county. 
NSV and the many sewing groups from around the United Kingdom all had a shared vision to use our sewing skills and time to support front line NHS staff and care workers in our communities.

The original NSV scrubs project group had over 1400 members, which include 1200+ people sewing, with support and help from delivery drivers, and those providing printing, fabric cutting and laundry services.

In addition, our publicity resulted in generous donations from the public, and local businesses and organisations helped us raise a fund which we used to purchase fabric and haberdashery.  This enabled us to make and deliver scrubs, scrub hats and staff laundry bags to hospitals and healthcare settings across the region.

We were overwhelmed by the generosity, kindness, passion and determination of all those who volunteered, and we were delighted for all our volunteers that their hard work was recognised at the 2020 Stars of Norfolk & Waveney Awards. 

Norfolk Scrubs Volunteers won the Team/Community Group Award. 

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Gillian, Julia, Emma, Claire & Diana x