Double sided A4 handwritten sheet dated 03/06/2020 11am – 12pm including counts for sides, necks, and waists with the reverse with counts for necks and belts, signed by a volunteer, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

1.A4 handwritten sheet dated 9 June 2020 with counts for belts and necks made at each station, signed by a volunteer, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A4 handwritten sheet dated 11 June 2020 with counts for belts and necks made at each station part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A4 handwritten sheet dated 12 June 2020 with counts for belts and necks, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A4 handwritten sheet dated 15 June 2020 with counts for belts and necks made with frequently asked questions on the reverse, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A4 handwritten sheet dated 16 June 2020 with counts for belts and necks made at each station, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A4 handwritten sheet dated 17 June 2020 with counts for belts and necks made at each station, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 folded sheet dated 18 June 2020 11am-12pm with counts for belts and necks made at each station, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A4 handwritten sheet dated 19 June 2020 with counts for belts and necks made at each station, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A4 handwritten sheet dated 22 June 2020 with counts for belts and necks made at each station, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A4 handwritten sheet dated 23 June 2020 with counts for belts and necks made at each station, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A4 handwritten sheet dated 24 June 2020 with counts for belts and necks made at each station, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A4 handwritten sheet dated 25 June 2020 with counts for belts and necks made at each station, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A4 handwritten sheet dated 26 June 2020 with counts for belts and necks made at each station, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A4 handwritten sheet dated 2 July 2020 with counts for belts and necks made at each station, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A4 handwritten sheet dated 3 July 2020 with counts for belts and necks made at each station, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A4 handwritten sheet undated with counts for items made at each station, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A4 handwritten sheet dated Thursday 7 [May], Friday 8 [May] and Saturday 9 [May] with counts made in one hour, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A4 handwritten sheet dated Saturday 9 [May], Monday 11 [May], AM and PM with counts made in one hour, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Tuesday 12 May AM, Wednesday 13 May AM and Thursday 14 May AM with counts for folding and packing and numbers made in an hour, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Thursday 14 May PM, Friday 15 May AM, Saturday 16 May AM with counts for folding and packing and numbers made in an hour and how many volunteers attended, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Saturday 16 May PM, Sunday 17 May AM, Monday 18 May with counts for folding and packing and numbers made in an hour and how many volunteers attended each day, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Tuesday 19 May AM, Wednesday 20 May AM and Thursday 21 May with counts for folding and packing, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Friday 22 May AM, Saturday 23 May AM, Monday 25 May AM, Tuesday 26 May AM, with counts for folding and packing and numbers made in an hour and how many volunteers attended each day, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Wednesday 27 [May] AM, Thursday 28 [May] AM, Friday 29 [May] with counts for folding and packing and numbers made in an hour and how many volunteers attended each day, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Saturday 30 May AM, Monday 1 June AM, Tuesday 2 June AM, Wednesday 3 June AM, with counts for folding and packing and numbers made in an hour and how many volunteers attended each day, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London, 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Thursday 4 June AM, Friday 5 June AM, Saturday 6 June AM, Monday 8 June AM including numbers of tops, arms, ties made, numbers folded and packed and how many volunteers attended each day, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London, 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Tuesday 9 June AM, Wednesday 10 June AM, Thursday 11 June, including numbers of tops, arms, belts, bodies made, numbers folded and packed and how many volunteers attended each day including hitting 20,000 gowns made on Wednesday 10 June, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London, 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Friday 12 June AM, Saturday 13 June AM, Sunday 14 June, Monday 15 June, including numbers of tops, arms, belts, bodies made, numbers folded and packed and how many volunteers attended each day, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London, 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Tuesday 16 June, Wednesday 17 June, Thursday 18 June, including numbers of tops, arms, belts, body made, numbers folded and packed and how many volunteers attended each day, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London, 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Friday 19 June AM, Saturday 20 June AM, Monday 22 June, including numbers of tops, arms, belts, bodies made, numbers folded and packed and how many volunteers attended each day, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London, 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Monday 23 June AM, Wednesday 24 June AM, Thursday 25 June, including numbers of tops, arms, belts, bodies made, numbers folded and packed and how many volunteers attended each day, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London, 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A4 handwritten sheet dated Friday 26 June AM, Saturday 27 June, including numbers of tops, arms, belts made, numbers folded and packed and how many volunteers attended each day with names for Tuesday 19 June [possibly for 29 June] and numbers made on the reverse, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London, 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Tuesday 30 June AM, Wednesday 1 July, Thursday 2 July and Friday 3 July, including numbers of tops, arms, belts, made, numbers folded and packed and how many volunteers attended each day, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London, 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Monday 13 July AM, Tuesday 14 July, Wednesday 15 July, Tuesday 21 July, Wednesday 22 July, Thursday 23 July and Friday 24 July including numbers of tops, arms, belts, made, numbers folded and packed and how many volunteers attended each day and hitting 40,000 gowns made on Thursday 23 July, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London, 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Monday 27 July, Tuesday 28 July, Wednesday 29 July, Thursday 30 July, Friday 31 July, including numbers made in AM and PM, numbers folded and packed and how many volunteers attended each day, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London, 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Monday 3 August, Tuesday 4 August, Wednesday 5 August, Thursday 6 August, Friday 7 August, including numbers made in AM and PM, numbers folded and packed and how many volunteers attended each day, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London, 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Monday 10 August AM and PM, Tuesday 11 August AM and PM, Wednesday 12 August AM and PM, Thursday 13 August AM and Pm, Friday 14 August AM and PM with counts for folding and packing, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London, 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Monday 17 August AM and PM, Tuesday 18 August AM and PM, Wednesday 19 August AM and PM, Thursday 20 August AM and PM, Friday 21 August AM and PM with counts for folding and packing, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London, 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.

A3 handwritten sheet dated Monday 24 August AM and PM, Tuesday 25 August AM and PM and Thursday 27 August with counts for number of volunteers and counts for folding and packing, including hitting 50,000 gowns made and packed, part of the Hampstead Gown Factory, a Royal Free Charity volunteer project to produce surgical gowns for key workers during COVID-19, London, 2020

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the only way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. A shortage of PPE dominated the first UK lockdown, with many key workers having to adapt existing materials or rely on volunteer pools.

One such pool was set up by the Royal Free Charity to provide surgical gowns for the Royal Free and Barnet hospitals. The self-titled Hampstead Gown Factory, based at Wac Arts in Hampstead, began making gowns from surgical drapes in April 2020.

Each morning and afternoon shift had 60 volunteers. Everyone had a set task such as sewing shoulder seams, cutting, checking, filling bobbins, quality control and packing. At peak productivity, 800 surgical gowns were made every day. Volunteers were regularly tested for COVID-19, completed a health check questionnaire and had their temperature checked on arrival, as well as observing social distancing.

Overall, 614 volunteers made 50,000 surgical gowns at the HGF. Surgical gowns cannot be made at home as they need to be produced in as sterile an environment as possible.

For many of the Hampstead Gown Factory volunteers, the project offered personal benefits too. It provided a focus during the first lockdown, was a chance to use existing skills and learn new ones, and to become part of a community not mediated by screens.