Flowerfield Arts Centre joins Causeway Rural and Urban Network to make face shields for frontline workers
Mon, April 27, 2020
Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart is supporting an innovative project by Causeway Rural and Urban Network (CRUN) to provide face shields to frontline health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The project is facilitated by CRUN’s fantastic National Lottery funded YEAR project, which provides dynamic initiatives to empower 14-24 year olds across the Borough.
Led by youth support worker and Flowerfield tutor Charlie Smyth, youth volunteers have designed and made protective face shields, mask adaptors and other essential PPE equipment, utilising Flowerfield Arts Centre’s FABLAB 3D printing equipment.
Offering his congratulations to everyone who has helped to make this project possible, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Sean Bateson said: “Flowerfield Arts Centre is a Council facility and we are proud to be a part of this scheme which has developed in response to the very real needs of those at the forefront of our health services. The Centre’s Fab Lab is used to encourage creativity and experimentation and now we are seeing this make a real difference during this coronavirus crisis.”
Due to social distancing measures, the printing of headbands, production of visors, assembly, sterilisation and distribution of fulfilled requests are all completed in the homes of volunteers spread throughout Causeway Coast and Glens.
So far, protective equipment has been delivered to St. John’s Ambulance and other ambulance services, care & hospital workers and other individual frontline workers.
Requests for equipment can be made to Causeway Rural & Urban Network (CRUN) or the YEAR project directly. Due to the high demand priority will be given to frontline organisations within the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area and young key workers.
At present, production is limited to small batches but CRUN is currently seeking funding and other ways to further develop this service with support from Flowerfield Arts Centre.
For more information email info@crun.org or the YEAR project on Charlie@crun.org or ring 07702211086.
