Former auxiliary nurse making scrubs for carers

Pauline Holmes has made up to 40 pairs of scrubs, making over 20 pairs in just one weekend.

The Waterside woman is part of the Derry Masks and Scrubs Making Group, which was set up to address a shortage of supply in personal protection equipment for health care workers during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The group has donated over 160 pairs of scrubs since it was set up.

Pauline, who started her working life as a factory girl before becoming a carer in the community and an auxiliary nurse, said she got involved with the group to give something back.

She revealed that she had to give up work as an auxiliary nurse five years ago when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but hopes to return in the future.

“I know so many carers out in the community and in care homes who were struggling to get equipment and were terrified of taking something back to their own families or giving it to one of their clients.

“They are all very attached to their clients and it would break their hearts if they thought they were the cause of them getting the virus because they lacked the proper equipment.”

Pauline initially began making scrubs from her own design out of old bedding. Since she was introduced to the group she has received better suited fabric and is making them to order.

She credits making the scrubs with giving her a focus at the current time.

“If it wasn’t for making these scrubs I don’t know what I would be doing during lockdown. Like everyone I was really struggling at the start, but this has given me something to really focus on.”