KeiSei Magazine
  • Fashion
    • Style
    • Ethical Talks
    • Editorials
  • Beauty
    • Skincare
    • Beauty Edit
  • Lifestyle
    • Wellbeing
    • Culture
  • Inspiration
    • Guides
    • In Conversation With
  • Shop
KeiSei Magazine
  • Fashion
    • Style
    • Ethical Talks
    • Editorials
  • Beauty
    • Skincare
    • Beauty Edit
  • Lifestyle
    • Wellbeing
    • Culture
  • Inspiration
    • Guides
    • In Conversation With
  • Shop
  • LIFESTYLE

Combatting Covid-19 With Colour And Creativity

  • 4 minute read
Amina Martucci wearing her handmade mask
Amina Martucci wearing her handmade mask

May 15, 2020 – By Tess Hardy

Fundraisers are doing the most to give back to the NHS, restoring hope in health and humanity.

During these dark and difficult times, it’s imperative that we try and spread as much colour and creativity as we can. A growing number of initiatives have successfully been raising funds, fostering awareness for the NHS through crowdfunding. Not only do they aim to protect healthcare workers against the virus; they are also brightening up our community and lifting people’s spirits in the process.

We’ve spoken to those who are creatively supporting the NHS and explored how others can get involved. Collectively, we can make a difference to help those in times of need.

Uniform Tote Bags for NHS Staff

A tote bag is a wardrobe must-have at the best of times, but who knew it would become one of the most sought-after hospital accessories of 2020?

Katie Dougan has been a junior sister for two and a half years and is currently working in a Covid unit in A&E in Brighton. As the main spread of Coronavirus is by taking off your equipment and uniform in the wrong way, Katie decided to create cotton tote bags for NHS staff to prevent the risk of contamination. Having had to previously use plastic bags to transfer clothing, which aggravates the virus, you can now sling the whole bag of uniform straight into the washing machine as soon as you get home.

She said, “It’s not that creative working as a nurse, so on my days off, I always make things, from jewellery to clothes to candles, lampshades [and] wall hangings.”

What started out as a small fundraiser, with a goal to help provide for her A&E department of 400 staff, has now gone viral, giving her the opportunity to discuss her campaign on BBC South East news, raising further awareness. Prior to this, Katie said,

“I was constantly being abused in work because of waiting times and not enough staff or room for patients…now everyone’s being really appreciative, it’s a full 360.”

Having never sewn before learning from YouTube, it takes her 10 minutes per bag and she can make up to 30 in a day, using colourful fabric with bold patterns and prints from Aldi. She encourages people to get involved and give sewing a try. Check out our step-by-step video of how to make a tote bag below and visit Katie’s fundraiser here.

Collection of reusable face masks
Collection of reusable face masks
Collection of reusable face masks
Photos by Jenny PH

For the Love of Scrubs

Another amazing initiative is, For the Love of Scrubs, founded by A&E nurse, Ashleigh Linsdell, tackling the national shortage of scrubs. Donations are used to purchase appropriate materials before getting them out to volunteers making scrubs for NHS teams. In just one week, they gained 14,000 volunteers and snowballed into a UK-wide movement. The group’s Facebook page has now accumulated over 53K members.

Clothing designer, Jade Page, is one of the valued volunteers making a difference to the daily work life of our NHS heroes. When we spoke with Jade, she said,

“I want to look back on this time and think that I did something worthwhile, even if it was only small.”

Her light blue scrub sets have gone to Peterborough hospital. The bright coloured sets, made out of old duvet covers and children’s bed sheets, are uplifting and fun. They bring joy to nearby hospices. So far, she’s totalled 15 sets and 6 wash bags by printing patterns out online and sourcing fabric from friends and family.

She explained, “It is hard when you’re inside all day every day. It’s very abnormal, so it’s nice to have a creative focus.”

For the Love of Scrubs have raised an astonishing £37,858 via their Just Giving fundraising page to date. If you’d like to volunteer, contact them on their Facebook page here.

Amina Martucci wearing her handmade mask
Amina Martucci wearing her handmade mask
Fabric for sewing, photo by Tess Hardy
Fabric for sewing, photo by Tess Hardy

Face Masks in Fashion

One of our favourite designers is fashion graduate, Amina Martucci, who’s been in the creative industry for seven years and has her own brand specialising in unisex knitwear and accessories.

Since lockdown, she’s been using swatches of material from previous collections to make face masks for those feeling uneasy going without one. Each mask holds a story and sentimental value for her personally.

As a sufferer of anxiety, Amina uses creativity as a helpful coping mechanism during Covid-19 to keep her busy. She motivates us to, “Channel into something that you enjoy and go from there. Don’t feel pressured into thinking you have to help; we’re all coping with this pandemic in different ways so it’s important to remember not to be so hard on ourselves.”

You can view Amina’s face masks on Depop here.

State of the Art

Of course, we can’t forget the art lovers! Chris Shea is a London based street artist known as State of the Art, from Shirley, Croydon, who’s spray painting garages, houses and buildings with Banksy-style murals.

His iconic ‘Rainbow Boy’ was inspired by the current surge of children’s paintings and watching his son grow. Having dozens of these dotted around the neighbourhood is a fitting tribute and permanent reminder of the positivity emerging from this pandemic.

“There is hope in youth and it should be watered like a plant” – Chris Shea.

Chris’ talent has certainly not gone unnoticed; he’s raised £15,831 for the NHS, with a percentage from Rainbow Boy t-shirts going to St. Christopher’s Hospice in Croydon.

Like Chris, we believe it’s important we look after those who look after us. We’re thankful that he’s bringing some sunshine during the crisis. Take a look on his Instagram here and fundraiser here.

Street art by Chris Shea, State of the Art
Street art by Chris Shea, State of the Art
NHS Scrubs Bag Kit by Reticule Fabrics
NHS Scrubs Bag Kit by Reticule Fabrics

Our collective conscience to help NHS heroes is blossoming. The beautiful array and abundance of colour and creativity gives ongoing glimmers of hope in a situation lacking a sense of security. By continuing to spread colour, joy and compassion beyond the pandemic, I am hopeful our efforts to help humankind will live on.

 

Tess Hardy

Tess Hardy

Tess is a Fine Art graduate from the University of Lincoln, now based in South London. Due to being highly passionate about the visual arts in all forms, she is eager to build a career in journalism and gain experience in all aspects of the industry, focusing her writing on fashion, culture and lifestyle.

Tess Hardy

Previous Article
What Our Editors Are Reading This Month
  • Culture
  • LIFESTYLE

What Our Editors Are Reading This Month

View Post
Next Article
Hot air balloon take off
  • LIFESTYLE

Our Editor’s Sustainable Honeymoon Diary (Part 2)

View Post

KeiSei Weekly:

Sign-Up For A Weekly Dose Of Sustainable Lifestyle Inspiration

You May Also Like
contracetion and pills
View Post
  • Wellbeing

Contraception: We Need To Talk About The Pill

  • Valentine Lacour
  • January 20, 2021
The effects of sugar on your mind skin and body
View Post
  • Wellbeing

The Effects Of Sugar On Your Mind, Skin And Body

  • Bibiana Dianiskova
  • January 17, 2021
image of female laying on the floor with a light streak on her face.
View Post
  • Wellbeing

How To Ditch The January Blues

  • Racheal Bola-Keji
  • January 16, 2021
INVITING AND COZY LIVING ROOM
View Post
  • LIFESTYLE

How To Create The Perfect Cosy Space For Winter

  • Kai Lin
  • January 14, 2021
Accountability: A Guide To Achieving Your Goals
View Post
  • Wellbeing

Accountability: A Guide To Achieving Your Goals

  • Kacie Wedel
  • January 6, 2021
Sunlight Clouds Mountain Blue sky haze wallpaper
View Post
  • Culture

January Book Club: Starting Off The New Year With A New Perspective

  • Kai Lin
  • January 7, 2021
The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Sustainable Home
View Post
  • Guides

The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Sustainable Home

  • Cecilia Toro
  • January 14, 2021
5 Habits You Need To Adopt In 2021
View Post
  • Wellbeing

5 Habits You Need To Adopt In 2021

  • Bibiana Dianiskova
  • January 14, 2021

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

KeiSei Weekly

Sign-Up for more Inspiration on Sustainable Living and Style Direct to Your Inbox

Let’s talk contraception, the pill to be specific. ⁠
Are you ready to try out some new, stimulating practices to enhance your body and mind?⁠⠀
Are you ready to start you sexual wellness journey?⁠⠀
Happy Monday everyone! Today we want to discuss an important topic: can the future of fashion become carbon negative?⁠
KeiSei’s sustainable Active Edit is now live! Our shop has been carefully curated so that you can shop with peace of mind. Let us know your favourite pieces in the comments!⁠
Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. ⁠⠀
KeiSei Magazine
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Terms of service
  • Privacy policy
© 2020 KeiSei Magazine Ltd.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.