Scout visors for healthcare workers

Scout volunteers from across Sussex and Surrey are developing innovative ways to help the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. A network of volunteers from across the south of England are working together to manufacture protective PPE face visors for doctors’ surgeries, hospitals, and care homes.

In Surrey, some GPs had started to print 3D visors at home, to boost their personal protective equipment. Worn over the top of goggles and surgical face masks, the visors provide an extra layer of protection against droplets. The process was slow and the demand high, so Scout volunteer Dr Debbie Donovan took the idea to her local Scout District to see if anyone else could help. Within 24 hours there was a co-ordinated team of leaders printing and assembling. IT equipment normally used for hobbies was repurposed to produce vital support kit for the fight against COVID-19.

The plans used were developed by Prusa and released as opensource for anyone to use. There are many groups and companies around the country using these plans to make the visors, co-ordinated through #TheBigPrint – and Scouts are keen that word spreads further.

So far this team has supplied over 100 visors to local medical and care centres such as Rudgwick Medical Centre, Loxwood Medical Practice, the Cranleigh Medical Practice, Frimley Park Hospital and local nursing homes. More are being produced every day.

Funds are being sourced using a crowdfunding site and local businesses to generate the resources needed to produce the visors.

Sal Dartnell from Horsham Scouts said ‘Our Scout volunteers are creative, innovative and have a can-do attitude, always keen to use their skills to help others. When I was approached by a Scout volunteer and doctor to help produce PPE equipment, I knew our local volunteers would rise to the challenge. The project is now taking off across the south-east with more Scout Groups coming on board every day. I am proud Scouting can do its bit and use the skills we have to help fight this terrible disease.’

Scout volunteer Dr Debbie Donovan said ‘It doesn’t get any better than knowing your visors are being used on the frontline – by GPs assessing possible cases, District nurses going into people’s homes and medical staff on hospital wards. A HUGE thank you to everyone who has been involved – you are helping to save lives.’

If you’d like to offer time, 3Dprinting or donations, please go along to #TheBigPrint