A DORCHESTER based organisation is making masks to help local frontline workers.

#Masks4All Dorchester (M4AD), a local not-for-profit group, have been hand making masks since the start of April, with the goal of supporting local volunteers and other frontline workers in the community.

The group was established by Emma Scott of Dorchester Town Council, Rosie Lees of the Embroidery Barn and Emma Teasdale of Bonjour cafe.

The trio were inspired by the international #Masks4All initiative, whose message is “My mask protects you – your mask protects me”.

Rosie Lees said: “We wanted to help essential workers without putting any pressure on medical grade PPE, which is rightly prioritised for NHS staff. We started looking into the science and arguments for and against using a homemade masks and quickly found that whilst cloth masks are not promoted as offering the wearer protection from Covid-19, the argument is that they help to stop the wearer from unknowingly spreading the disease. A cloth covering over the face can reduce transmission of the virus which means we are less likely to give it to each other.”

The group began creating packs full of the necessary materials, complete with instructions on how to make the masks. They appealed to local people for help and quickly had over 180 sewing enthusiasts offering time and materials.

Currently around 500 masks have been distributed, with a further 600 in the process of being collected, washed and bagged ready for distribution.

The masks have been given to care home staff, teachers, outdoor workers and community volunteers.

Having previously worked over a broader range, the group M4AD are now focusing their efforts on supporting key workers in the Dorchester area. They are asking anyone who may require masks for their organisation to get in contact with the group.

For those who are able to sew, M4AD have provided a pattern for the masks they are producing on their Facebook page.

Emma Scott said: “We are so grateful to all our funders, and amazing team of sewers, it is very uplifting to see how many people there are out there who want to help. Whilst lockdown is very tentatively starting to be relaxed, we must remember that using a mask is just another added way of keeping each other safe. It is essential that we continue to maintain social distancing, wash our hands regularly and not to become complacent and that we must still self-isolate if we show symptoms of the virus”.

You can contact M4AD on Facebook @Masks4AllDorchester or at masks4alldorchester@gmail.com.