Washable three-layer face masks are available for the public to purchase from a local Bridgend charity to help ensure PPE is not taken away from healthcare and frontline workers.
Homelessness charity Emmaus South Wales is making sustainable face masks using donated clothing and fabrics. The charity is aiming to produce 100 masks per a week and orders can be placed by email while the Emmaus shops are temporarily closed.
The masks will cost £3 each and all funds generated from sales will go towards the charity’s work helping people to rebuild their lives following homelessness.
Emmaus, which has five shops that are temporarily closed due to retail restrictions, received funding from the Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO) to help with the project.
Emmaus South Wales Chief Executive, Jemma Wray, said:
“Initially, we were making face masks on a much smaller scale for our residents and staff team, but thanks to the BAVO grant we have now been able to scale up the production of ethical, washable and sustainable face masks made entirely of donated materials. The funding from BAVO will be used to buy additional sewing machines and haberdashery equipment for our residents to use.
“When someone comes to Emmaus, we give them the opportunity to learn new skills by working in our shops or through specialised projects such as upcycling. This has always been an important part of our charity and goes a long way to help rebuild confidence and self-esteem. While our shops are closed, we have been creating new projects to help our residents stay busy, and this project not only teaches them a new skill but will help to ensure face masks are not taken away from the NHS and frontline workers.”
Emmaus South Wales has not yet announced a date for re-opening any of its shops but is currently preparing by implementing new measures to ensure the safety of its team and customers.
Face masks are available to purchase in single or multiple quantities and postage and packaging is not included. To place an order, email [email protected].
To keep up to date with the re-opening of the Emmaus shops in Bridgend, Cowbridge, Maesteg and Porthcawl, visit www.emmaus.org.uk/south-wales or follow the charity on Facebook @EmmausSWales.
