School donates visors to lifts firm
A firm that installs and services stairlifts, wheelchair lifts and hoists for elderly people and those with disabilities has received a donation of personal protective equipment made by a school.
Tipton-based Dolphin Lifts Midlands recently took delivery of the face visors which had been designed and produced by the design and technology department at Leasowes High School in Halesowen.
The visors will be used by the installation and service teams when they are engaging with customers when installing and servicing.
“We are incredibly grateful to Stuart Chatterton, the design and technology curriculum manager at the school, along with his colleagues for this incredibly generous donation. During these extremely-challenging times, we take the safety of our customers and staff very seriously and have been having trouble sourcing additional PPE equipment so this donation is fantastic” said Lee Farrington, managing director of family-run Dolphin Lifts Midlands, which makes a range of stairlift, wheelchair lift, through the floor lift and hoists products.
Stuart, along with four colleagues – Melanie Jamieson, Kathryn Wilkes, Matthew Mynott and Martin Lopez – manufactured and supplied more than 400 visors in just three days and in addition to Dolphin Lifts Midlands, these have been distributed to local hospitals, care homes, pharmacies and key workers within the NHS working in the local area.
It was made possible by teaming up with design and technology departments up and down the country and combining their comprehensive design and manufacturing expertise and machinery.
“The visor frames are created using a three-piece component design for the headband using 2D design software and cutting with precision on the laser cutter, allowing us to make a fully adjustable and robust headband for much-needed PPE equipment.
"The polypropylene used for the headbands is repurposed from A3 coursework folders, with each recycled folder being used to produce up to six visors. We then simply hole punch a clear sheet of plastic and attach to the head band section. Unfortunately we will soon run out of the polypropylene sheet material, therefore we are looking for donations and if anyone is in a position to support us.
"Due to the shortage of PPE nationwide for NHS staff and key workers, we feel fortunate we have the material, manufacturing facilities and skilled staff with a passion to support our local community and as a team we will do all we can to manufacture as many as possible. We have been overwhelmed with the support of the parents, workers and general public at this difficult time” explained Stuart, who can be contacted by e-mail to schatterton@leasowes.dudley.sch.uk or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/leasoweshighschool
“I think I speak for many people when I say the work being done by so many people across the UK without any recognition is truly inspiring. On behalf of not just the staff here at Dolphin Lifts Midlands but also all our customers I would like to say a huge thank you as without the equipment we would be unable to keep helping the people of the West Midlands live independently within their homes. So, if you can help Stuart with any donations please do not hesitate to contact him. We are also starting to run low on gloves and hand sanitiser and having trouble sourcing new supplies so if any local organisations could help us that would be greatly appreciated, added Lee, who can be e-mailed at l.farrington@dolphinmidlands.co.uk or called on 0800 032 2080.
