The University of Sheffield, one of the NTDC’s Key Partners, have been sharing acts of kindness from their staff as part of an initiative started on Mental Health Awareness Week at the end of May.
Rachael Newton-Carroll, Library Internal Communications Officer, told us:
“I live on my own and helping my elderly neighbours gives me a sense of worth and helps me connect with people. I deliver food from my local bakery to houses, put bins out (and in again!) and at the age of 46, I now have a newspaper round!
“I have also signed up for the Kindness by Post campaign, a national kindness exchange, where you sign up to post a card or letter with a message of encouragement to someone else in the UK, and have someone allocated to send some encouragement to you.”
An uplifting story from our Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Senior technician, John Lowndes, from the Henry Royce Institute, has been producing PPE for the NHS. However, John is currently shielding during lockdown on health grounds, so has been using his own workshop to make a variety of items.
He started using his own 3D printer and materials to make PPE for a paramedic friend who was then able to pass them on to others who needed it. John was then able to borrow a printer from the Henry Royce Institute to help him up set up production, and Principal Engineer Robert Deffley has been helping to maintain a supply of materials.
John has been making face shields as well as Covid Door Claws, which are used to safely open doors and have a dibber on the end for touchscreens and push-button door access – paramedics, doctors and nurses love these. He has also redesigned Covid Buckles which are designed to take pressure off the ears when wearing face masks – these are in high demand.
John has been printing from 7.30am until 11pm every day, and has sent out over 700 pieces of PPE via his paramedic friend. He has also sent PPE to a local school to help them prepare for a phased return, and has had enquiries from a school in Leeds where his youngest daughter works. And he’s done this for free, to help those people at the front line of this crisis, because kindness matters. Hats off to you, John. You’re a hero!
If you have a story you’d like to share with us, email enquiries@ntdc.ac.uk
