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Facing up to the fight against Coronavirus

There is a rich, well documented tradition in Keyworth for cottage style industry and production going back centuries. There has surely been no greater testament to this heritage than the work of the Nottingham Face Shields group, set up by Claire Giles in the village to produce and donate plastic visors for free to local NHS and key workers. 

At a time of great challenge, Claire and her team of volunteers, fuelled by the help of donations from the community, have been increasing day by day their capacity and delivery, truly making a difference on the front line of Nottinghamshire’s fight against Coronavirus.

Keyworth Parish Council made space available for production to aid the drive for increased production and the community has pledged financial and moral support through the Facebook page www.facebook.com/nottsshieldsnhs

Claire said “I’ve been overwhelmed both by the response from people wanting to join the group and help us to produce more visors, and by pledges from the community to enable us to donate everything we produce for free.”

The process involves 3D Printing, which involves making a physical object from a three-dimensional digital model, typically by laying down many thin layers of a material in succession. Claire told us “The visors are completely reusable and can be sterilised with solution (as per instructions that we send through) AND we have it on good authority that they’re very comfy!”.

Up to 11 May, 4,280 face shields have been delivered and more than £1,250 donations have been made. In addition, again in keeping with that proud Keyworth production heritage, Claire’s thoughts are on continuing the fight: “Thanks to some incredible people responding to my plea for help with printing, we have now built a small army and can produce in the region of 15,000 visors per week. So if anyone out there can help to donate anything at all, we can ensure everyone who needs a visor in our local community will get one. If you know anyone who needs a visor who cannot get access to one, we will ensure they want no more!”

You can visit the Facebook page or Claire’s GoFundMe page if you'd like to help gf.me/u/xt4h65