Mask Making Workshops

Providing residents with the tools to protect their health and wellbeing during COVID-19 pandemic.

Benefit of learning new skills - sewing

Keep learning is one of the Five Ways to Wellbeing, five evidence-based actions which can improve personal wellbeing. Adults engaged in lifelong learning are more likely to be healthier, have better mental health and be more social connected. They are also more likely to participate in the community and decisions concerning the community. Learning new skills increases individuals’ employability, supporting the economic growth of the community. Adults involved in learning are more likely to be involved in their children’s education, helping them learn and raise attainment.

Location

Longsight

Project team

Buzz Health & Wellbeing Services (Neighbourhood Health Worker)

We Matter CIC

Longsight Community Primary School

Aim

This project aimed to:

Improve wellbeing and reduce isolation through activity
Engage groups in considering COVID restrictions and guidelines
Provide individuals with a reusable face mask to support social distancing measures

Testimonies:

“I'm so impressed with your efficiency. I think Longsight will definitely benefit with you supporting our community.” – We Matter

Women stated that they were glad to leave the house and interact with other women.

A request was made for more activities.

Evaluation

The workshop at Longsight Community Primary School was a success, factoring in COVID-19 restrictions. 6 women attended (as per restrictions for social distancing).

It was found that participants were not washing masks after each use. One participant told the group that her son had worn the same disposable mask for 2 weeks whilst attending school.

All participants made 2 masks. They talked about making more at home. Participants gained an understanding of the need to wear masks and also to wash the masks regularly.

The project started out in person, distanced, workshops at a primary school. Due to COVID restrictions the remainder of the funding was used to create and distribute at home make a mask kits.

There is a plan for further workshops with different parents, and different school, in the future.

Strategic links to local/national policies

Benefit	Policy
Helping people live healthier lives	Healthy Lives, Healthy People (MH Government, 2010) The Manchester Locality Plan – A Healthier Manchester Manchester Health and Wellbeing Strategy Manchester Prevention Programme
Increased mental wellbeing	Manchester Health and Wellbeing Strategy Greater Manchester Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Increasing community involvement	Healthy Lives, Healthy People (MH Government, 2010) Manchester Prevention Programme
Socially connected communities	Manchester Population Health Plan
Employability	NHS Five Year Forward View (Department of Health, 2014) Taking Charge of our Health and Social Care in Greater Manchester (GMCA, 2015) Our Manchester Strategy
Giving children the best start in life	Taking Charge of our Health and Social Care in Greater Manchester (GMCA, 2015) Greater Manchester Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy