Providing PPE for local community organisations

The Science department quickly stepped up to donate spare PPE to an NHS GP at the very start of lockdown.

The PPE was going to a community hub, the first stop for assessment before being given to hospitals where the equipment is much-needed. We were able to donate a variety of PPE including donations of goggles, safety specs and nitrile and vinyl gloves.

When the call went out from the online 3D printing community that frontline NHS staff had requested over 186,000 face shields through the 3DCrowd.UK website in just 1 week – the IT team at Downe House leapt at the chance to get involved. Based on independent medical advice, the visors are being printed using PETG filament, which is food-safe, less likely to harbour the Covid-19 virus and means that they can easily be cleaned – they can even go in the dishwasher!

Additionally, to support our local community, Downe House was delighted to be able to provide Argyles Care Home in Newbury with 30 face shields for their frontline staff. Care homes provide vital support, both medically and pastorally, to those who are most vulnerable during the pandemic and we are so pleased to be able to contribute in some way to the work of the brave staff at Argyles Care Home, to help them carry out their crucial work safely and effectively.

We were also contacted by Newbury-based charity Interakt Community, and were able to send 10 face shields so that staff there can continue to offer creative opportunities to youngsters and adults who face physical and sensory challenges.

Moreover, Downe House was able to open up a boarding House in order to accommodate a number of Key Workers from Prior’s Court School so that they were able to continue in their roles and provide the all-important continuity of care for their pupils with severe autism.