Members of Ilkley U3A help sew scrubs for GPs
U3A members in Ikley have joined a local effort to help create new scrubs for NHS workers during the Covid-19 pandemic and were featured on BBC Newsnight this month.
People in Ilkley formed a sewing team – to help create scrubs for GPs who usually wear their own clothes but need extra protection in the current circumstances.
Ilkley and District U3A member Barbara Bullock joined the sewing team – which has a number of U3A members - after seeing a call-out for volunteers.
Former Home Economics teacher, Barbara had already started making masks for people in the local area so making scrubs was a natural progression.
Barbara who makes a set of scrubs a day, said, “I thought that is was something I could do and I had the time. It’s good to feel useful and that you’ve got something to do and some way you can help.
"I think a lot of the U3A members are really enjoying it. I’m enjoying it. It’s given us something to do, it’s given us a purpose and we feel as if we are helping”.
The sewing team has created 300 scrubs and are now providing scrubs and bags for care-workers.
Are you or members of your local U3A involved in making scrubs or masks? We’d love to hear about it. Email us at