This week, St Dunstan’s College’s design and technology department have started manufacturing personal protective equipment (PPE) amid the current Coronavirus crisis.
The department, led by Mr James Randall, have been producing the PPE in the College’s workshop using the laser cutter.
Speaking about the production, Mr Randall explained: ‘Community is at the heart of everything we do at St Dunstan’s. This week, we have been making PPE including face masks and visors for the NHS. We have been cutting them out on our laser cutter, and once they’re cut, they are then ready to be sent out to the local community.
‘We know this is a very challenging time for many of our NHS, care and key workers, so we wanted to be able to help in this way, and hopefully the PPE will be able to support those in our community working on the front line.’
The PPE will be distributed locally between University Lewisham Hospital, King’s College Hospital, Bethlem Royal Hospital and St Christopher’s.
The College will also be donating teddy bears and colouring pencils to the hospitals for any children affected by Coronavirus.
Following the school closure on Friday 20 March, the College donated a selection of food to the Catford Community Soup kitchen in Bromley Road. This included potatoes, apples, eggs, oranges, pineapples and more.
Last month, the College also launched a dedicated area on its website to Coronavirus support. The new area includes updates from the Headmaster, daily tips from both staff and students, mental health support and signposting, and news from its virtual learning. Those visiting the dedicated area will also find NHS and Public Health England guidance and useful resources that can be shared with family and friends.
The new page can be viewed at here.