Take a look at this. Graham’s pilot neighbour mentioned that he had volunteered to help. It’s stressful for airline staff when flying and in some ways more stressful now with furloughing and job cuts. The NHS likewise in other ways. Put the two together and “doing good” lifts the spirits.
Well done airline crew, NHS staff and the Hospital Trust. All seeing an opportunity. It’s a bit Shed like with sophistication 🙂
Project Wingman lands at James Cook Hospital
Pilots and crew from several UK airlines are providing staff at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust a first class lounge and service including teas, coffees and light snacks to help teams de-stress at work.
Project Wingman Lounge at The James Cook University Hospital
The Project Wingman lounge has been set up in the STRIVE Academic Centre common room at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough to support staff during COVID-19.
It offers a safe space for staff to talk to someone about their experiences, relax over a tea or coffee or just have some time away from the work environment before, during and after hospital shifts – all in a lounge setting similar to those enjoyed by first-class passengers at airports.
The lounge is open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday and from 10am to 2pm on Saturdays.
The lounge is part of Project Wingman – a UK wide initiative spearheaded by pilots in command, David Fielding and Emma Henderson.
The lounge is a place for staff to go and relax
Project Wingman has been set up to support NHS staff during and after the COVID-19 response. It brings together crews from every UK airline, who have been furloughed, grounded or made redundant due to the pandemic.
“We would like to encourage everyone working at the hospital to take advantage of this opportunity.”Jennie Winnard, director of education and organisational development at the trust said: “We are thrilled to welcome this fantastic initiative to the trust. We would like to say a huge thank you to all the Project Wingman volunteers for giving up their time to help support the wellbeing of our hard-working staff when they need it most.”
Emma Henderson, co-founder of Project Wingman, added: “As many of our pilots and cabin crew are currently grounded or on reduced duties due to coronavirus, we wanted to focus our efforts on giving back to the NHS heroes who are working tirelessly during this pandemic.”
“We’re so pleased to be able to offer the Project Wingman service for South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It’s very rewarding to see that the relaxing space is making a difference to the hard-working teams.”
Beeswax
Beeswax adds lustre to wood. You can buy it but also make it, which is what Graham’s son Kevin did.
Get buzzzy.
Gated at Sleights Primary School
Bob & Graham have carried on with the work on the school gates. Part of their detention!
It is one of the wonders of volunteering that conversations follow. The staff had a late afternoon meeting (socially distanced we’re told). So the work on the gates was going on after the close of the school day but before the close of the staff day:-)
The Headteacher, Scott Grason, emerged and we talked “Shoulder to Shoulder” leaning 2m apart against the blue railings that the school staff prepared and painted themselves.
The conversation stretched into what the school had been doing during Covid-19 that extended not just to children but to the families. Supporting families and receiving support from families was Graham’s feeling. In fact it is expressed in their account on their web-site. http://sleights.n-yorks.sch.uk/
Here is their Summary About page (highlighting is Graham’s)
About Us
SHEFEST IS ON FOR 3 DAYS. This is the Blind Woodturner. Just watch and listen. Inspirational
Sheds Opening?
In the afternoon on ShedFest Zoom there was a discussion between an Englishman, Irishman, Welshman, Scottish man and an Aussie (the AMSA chief). No jokes please!
If I was looking for clarity, it was not the place to look. Different administrations and no direct reference to activities like Sheds, of course. Are we a village hall, a shop, a church? Looking for equivalences.
Here are some key comments from what I picked up (may well be summarised by UKMSA in due course). In no particular order:-
- Very few Sheds are open anywhere. In Oz only opened about two weeks ago but not all, because landlords have to agree (understandably) since there may be others uring parts of the bigger premises.
- Where Sheds have gone back, they are much quieter because of age many men are respecting their underlying health and being very cautious. Men miss it all and they know they will be back and are looking forward to it, but are cautious. Building confidence slowly.
- In Australia they use an estimate of 4 square metres/person max overall i.e. 2m x 2m. Layouts are reconfigured and designed to minimize movement past people too closely etc.
- Rotas for attending or people booking are other common mechanisms in place. No longer just dropping in.
- Face coverings as a protection to others especially if it is less than 2 metres at any time.
- Cleaning regimes a shared responsibility between building owner and Shed. Each knowing what each other are doing and when.
- Some discussion about Sheds being left 3 days between uses but that complicated by the fact of lower capacity and maybe need for for sessions).
- Into all this comes rental cost. Sheds well thought of by communities so landlords are understanding.
- It will take time to rebuild many community activities, not just Sheds. All so important to mental health.
- Loss of jobs/furloughing is having an impact on people and relationships
Top: England, Wales, Scotland Bottom: Ireland (North & South) and Australia
From The Big Issue sent by Street Angels Whitby for us to see!
Finally, Staithes
Good work to clear wood in the other side of the extension and to complete the floor.