Author: Tina Calder

Government targets to have children to have an assessment and statement of special needs within 34 weeks could be at risk unless another £30m of funding is made available, according to evidence given to Department of Education officials.

Ricky Irwin was giving evidence to the Assembly Committee for Education in the wake of a scathing report from the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) which said that 85% of children wait more than the statutory 26 weeks for an assessment and statement.

Meta Auden, founder of Spectra Sensory Clothing, said parents are being forced to pay out hundreds.

“One of my customers has private health care but it does not cover the autism spectrum, so she is going for a diagnosis to a private clinic where the cost is nearly £400.00,” she said.

“There are not many who can afford this and considering that 85% of young adults with autism are unlikely to be in work compared to the rest of the young adult population the private route is not feasible.”

The evidence to the Assembly committee comes two weeks after health minister Robin Swann revealed that 603 have been waiting for more than a year for assessment.

The NIAO report said that the wait for children to have the assessment completed is nearly as bad, with an average of 45 weeks on the list.

New rules and a code of practice states that the limit for an Education Authority to complete the assessment and statement of special needs will be cut from 26 to 22 weeks.

“This means that the children are struggling at school, as no help without diagnosis,” said Meta. “The problem for many of our customers and in support groups, is the length of time before a diagnosis.

“Most parents know before a diagnosis that their child is on the spectrum, but also some for whom a diagnosis brings relief and understanding of their child’s behaviour.”

In his evidence to the committee for education Mr Irwin said that there is some worry that the extra monies needed may not be available.

“The financial environment next year will be extremely challenging,” he said. “We haven’t got any confirmation at this stage around the £30m pressure.”

Funding for Special Educational Needs covers support in special schools, children in mainstream with SEN and statements, SEN transport and support services for SEN through the Education Authority.

Meta Auden said that often it is not always clear what support is needed even once a child receives an assessment.

“There is not a one size fits all, each child will have different needs and the longer they go undiagnosed the more their education will suffer,” she explained. “I also feel that many do not understand the pressure parents are facing on a daily basis just getting their child out to school, only for the child not to receive any help when there.

“With no help, these children are being let down and their full potential not being realised.

The waiting lists are not going away, they will grow as more children will be diagnosed this year with autism than with cancer or Downs.”

Chairman of the Education Committee, Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle, said that without funding there is no likelihood for change.

“The new regulations and code of practice can introduce new time limits and new deadlines but if the resources aren’t in place are they going to address the abject failure to assess and respond to special educational needs of children in a timely way?” he said.

The Northern Ireland Audit Office said that the Educational Authority procedures may not be “fit for purpose”. This came after an internal audit by the EA said that there were many failings. There is another internal investigation underway.

Meta Auden said that it has been an ongoing problem for so many years.

“I was lucky when my daughter was younger to have an assessment and a great classroom assistant,” she said. “However, too many parents are waiting too long and ultimately this causes problems and is, frankly, a disgrace.

“Of course we need the investigations to show the way to improve the situation, but we also need the funding and the will to make changes.”

At present one in five of Northern Ireland pupils has special educational needs, more than 67,000 pupils.

Find out more about Spectra Sensory’s range of sensory clothing and autism aids at spectrasensoryclothing.co.uk

When Northern Ireland YouTube sensation Adam B learned that a local teenager was being bullied at school he leapt into action with a birthday gift of £5,000 worth of tech equipment to help him make more and better videos.

Adam B, aka Adam Beales, reached out to 14-year-old Stewart O’Doherty after reading a tweet from Stewart’s sister Molly about what he was enduring in school.

The 21-year-old YouTube star who has amassed more than 3 million subscribers to his channel said he could relate to what the young man was going through.

“I went through a very similar position to Stewart,” Adam explained. 

“I know exactly what he’s going through. And the main message in making the video and giving the gifts will be to highlight bullying and the huge negative effects it has on kids.”

Stewart started his channel about a year ago but really began making regular YouTube content during lockdown, and when he returned to school the online bullying followed the Derry teen.

“When we went back to school in September, the physical bullying started,” said Stewart. 

“At first it started with sly comments, but then it grew to people physically throwing stuff at me.

“I didn’t give up on the idea of YouTubing, but I didn’t upload much because of what was happening.”

Stewart’s plight came out when he told his 18-year-old sister Molly.

“When Stewart told me I was absolutely livid,” she said. I was so annoyed with myself because I hadn’t been able to do anything to help but it was only because I didn’t know.

“Stewart just loved doing his YouTube channel – it was just silly wee things like challenges and that type of thing. He just enjoyed it. He wasn’t doing any harm and it certainly was no reason for him to be bullied.”

Molly tweeted about the bullying and caught the attention of Blue Peter presenter Adam B.

“The tweet has gone viral with huge support from other content creators like myself,” explained Adam. 

“However, what Stewart didn’t know is that I would be surprising him on his birthday with a video message.”

As Stewart chatted to his YouTube idol on FaceTime he was told to look outside where Adam was waiting with the tech package of gifts.

“I gave Stewart a laptop, cameras, mics, speakers, GoPros, tripods, a segway, airpods, smart watch, headphones, computer mouse, a camera gimbal plus a few other gadgets to help him on his YouTube journey,” said Adam. 

“I wanted to give him these gadgets so that he could have a kickstart on YouTube and something to show the bullies that he doesn’t need to listen to them.”

And, Stewart is now even more determined to keep making content.

“There are no words for me to say what I want to Adam. He’ll never know what he’s done for me,” he said. 

“He’s given me back my confidence and I know now that I can pursue – and fulfil – my dream.”

However, he also had a word for his bullies.

“I’d like to thank the people who bullied me,” said Stewart.

“I’d like to say to them, ‘Thank you’, because, without them, I would never have been able to meet my idol, Adam B.

“I’d also like to tell them that bullying someone for doing what they love to do doesn’t make you a better person.”

That same determination was what spurred Adam on when he was the victim of bullying at school.

“I started doing YouTube in 2012 periodically until 2015 when I devoted a lot of my time to it.

“Being in an all-boy school, back when there were no big Northern Irish YouTubers to look up to – it was very difficult to stay on that path.

“It was difficult to keep believing when everyone else was talking about you, making fun, calling you names as you walked past them in school corridors. It was horrible and I wish it on no one. Therefore, Stewart’s case hit a nerve. I know exactly what he is going through.”

It got so bad that Adam was close to quitting YouTube.

“I was very close to giving up so many times when I was at school,” he said.

“Being told by both pupils and even teachers to stop YouTube – it was a very stressful environment.

“It was an environment where I asked myself multiple times, ‘is it even worth it?’, ‘is it worth the hassle?’ 

“But I am very glad I didn’t give them the satisfaction because I wouldn’t be where I am today if I had listened to them.”

Since then Adam has been garnering more and more YouTube subscribers, as well as more than 500,000 followers on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok with his witty pranks and sketches, yet he still remembers the acts of the bullies.

“Sometimes they text me,” he said. 

“I often got random texts from people who relentlessly ashamed me for doing YouTube – and now they’re the ones texting me, congratulating me.

“Anyone who made fun of me or made me feel insecure for doing something I loved, I would say to them ‘why”, ‘what did they get from it’, ‘Are you happy’.

“I would ask these questions because I am still baffled as to why people feel the need to mentally/physically/emotionally attack others for something that doesn’t even affect them. It boggles my brain and it’s a thing that needs stamped out. No one should ever tolerate bullying. No one.”

And, he has a message for the people bullying Stewart.

“Don’t underestimate anyone,” he said. “The people you bully could very well be the people you need a job from in the future.”

He went on with a message for everyone who has a dream.

“Believe in yourself. If I can do it, then you can do it. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
For those who have a dream of becoming a YouTube star he said support from friends and family can make a huge difference.

“Encourage them. Encourage, encourage, encourage! It massively helps when the only thing they’re used to is negativity.”

If you or someone you know is being bullied don’t be afraid to talk to an adult or contact Childline.org.uk on 0800 1111. For more information about how you can tackle bullying adults can go to endbullying.org.uk

The Northern Ireland Festival of Writing will be broadcasting over six hours of content throughout the day and night on NVTV this Friday, November 28.

Following on from the successful inaugural event in 2019 the festival has launched an online programme of content that will once again encourage and support writers who want to start or develop their skills.

Over the next 3 weeks the free online content will include interviews with local writers and content creators, panel events, workshops and masterclasses.

As well as that the festival will be broadcasting a series of interviews with local writers from a wide variety of writing genres on NVTV and across via a range of Facebook and YouTube channels.

Director of the festival, James Murphy, said that the festival intends to become even more successful in encouraging local talent.

“While we cannot repeat last year we have worked hard to make sure we have a rich programme that aims to help develop participant’s confidence,” he said. 

“We hope that what we have planned will educate, empower and improve literacy and communications skills.”

The 2020 programme will include in-depth interviews with local, national and international writers; a range of practical writing and creative writing workshops, online book club and reading recommendations; panel discussions; and, an online writing retreat.

Festival directors publicist and journalist Tina Calder and author James Murphy will be interviewing a range of well known Northern Ireland writers including comedians Tim McGarry and Nuala McKeever, musicians Janet Devlin and Ciaran McElhinney, performance poets Elizabeth McGeown and Michael Wilson, authors William Clegg and Bernie Allen, transformation coach Deborah King, journalist and author Malachi O’Doherty and journalist and blogger Alan Meban to name a few.

From Zoom to in-studio interviews Tina said they wanted to show the breadth of talent throughout Northern Ireland.

She added: “What we wanted to achieve with these interviews was to inspire other writers by hearing stories from those who have achieved a range of success in their chosen writing field. It was important to us that we were able to show that the writing industry was more than just writing novels and poetry.

“There are some really incredible stories of people’s journey to success and I love the fact that each person has a different one to tell.”

Local community television channel NVTV joined forces with the festival in order to make it more accessible to people across the country.

Simon Wood, Chairperson at NVTV said: “Northern Visions is excited to be a partner in the Northern Ireland Festival of Writing this year. One of the pleasures for many of us during these challenging times, especially during lockdown, has been being able to get lost in a book and become acquainted with books we have forgotten we actually own.

“What’s so interesting about the Festival of Writing is that it is writing in all its forms so this is a real voyage of discovery.” 

Fans of the festival can see the main NVTV broadcast on Friday November 27 broadcasting on Freeview 7 (greater Belfast) and Virgin Media 159 (across Northern Ireland).

The festival will also be streaming sessions on Facebook and running a series of online workshop sessions as well as a range of other interactive events over the coming weeks.

“With the support of all including our festival partners NVTV, Oranga Creative, BAM magazine, The Secret Bookshelf and my own company Excalibur Press we will make this year’s festival a roaring success and look forward to having a further programme planned for the time when safer social gatherings can take place” said festival co-founder Tina Calder.

To help support the festival the Crowd Funder page can be found here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-northern-ireland-festival-of-writing

To find out more at http://festivalofwriting.org 

The Health Minister, Robin Swann, has revealed that more than 603 adults are waiting for over a year for autism diagnosis.

Mr Swann was answering an Assembly Written Question from South Down SDLP MLA, Colin McGrath, who also revealed that in total 1,101 were currently waiting for assessment.

The Minister also said that a planned review of adult autism services planned to begin in April of this year had been delayed as a result of the Covid-19 crisis but will be asking the Executive to bring forward an interim review early in 2021.

In terms of the current totals the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust alone has 346 people waiting in excess of 52 weeks for assessment, with only the Northern Trust not having anyone waiting beyond a year.

The written answer detailed how long were people waiting across four week intervals, as counted as of August 2020. Almost 200 have been waiting between 26-39 weeks.

Of the other trusts South Eastern Trust had 83 waiting for assessment more than a year, the Southern Trust 124 and the Western Trust 50.

Meta Auden, founder of Spectra Sensory Clothing reacted to the statistics: “The waiting times for an autism diagnosis are totally unacceptable and cause great distress for many.

“In the case of adults, they seem to be forgotten, and it has to be remembered that children with autism grow up to become adults with autism.”

Mr Swann was also asked for his plans to reduce the waiting times.

“People with Autistic Spectrum Disorder have access to a range of core HSC services,” he explained in his answer. “Support may be provided via GP and Primary Care in the first instance or referral onto services such as psychology or psychiatry, depending on assessed need.

“Access to other community services where relating to Mental Health or Learning Disability support are also available where appropriate, as are services provided through the community/voluntary sector.”

With regards to waiting times he said: “I am however fully aware of the rising demand for adult autism services within our health and social care sector and of the growing need for the standardisation of provision of services across the regional Trusts.

“This is why my Department has been liaising with the Health and Social Care Board and with the Public Health Agency to commence a review of adult autism services.

“Work on this review was due to commence in April of this year, but due to pressures on the system as a result of COVID-19, plans to commence this work had to be paused.”

He went on: “However, mindful of the challenges which COVID 19 has presented to families and people with autism, I have recently written to my Executive Colleagues to advise them of my intention to publish an interim autism strategy early in 2021 which will ultimately inform the development of a fully co-produced strategy later in 2021.

“It is intended that the work to review adult autism services will be undertaken as an action  within this strategy. Like its predecessor, this interim strategy contains cross-departmental actions recognising that adults with autism require a wide range of support across for example health, education, housing, and employment.”

Meta Auden said that lengthy waiting times for diagnosis are across all ages:

“One of the frequently asked questions on the forums here is ‘is there anywhere else, where I can get my child diagnosed’?” she said. Until diagnosis they cannot access many HSC services. 

“This means that the children are struggling at school, as no help without diagnosis.”

There has meant, according to the Spectra Sensory founder, many are having to pay.

“One customer has private health care but it does not cover the autism spectrum, so she is going for a diagnosis to a private clinic where the cost is nearly £400.00.

“There are not many who can afford this and considering that 85% of young adults with autism are unlikely to be in work compared to the rest of the young adult population the private route is not feasible.”

She added that, whilst her company caters for children, the range goes far beyond that.“We cater for all ages, our largest size maybe a 17/18, but they are large enough for many adults and indeed many adults also wear our t-shirts and shirts.”

The Northern Ireland Takeaway Association has warned that up to 2,000 jobs are at risk in the sector with the announcement of the latest raft of lockdown measures.

Director, Michael Henderson said that without immediate financial aid up to 25% of takeaways will close.

“With the latest restrictions now set to cut well into December the entire sector is at grave risk,” he said. 

“Without financial support for the takeaway sector we believe around a quarter of all takeaways in Northern Ireland will close resulting in a loss of over 2,000 jobs.

“Already we have seen a huge reduction in trade with the closure of hospitality with reduced numbers of walk-ins. This has resulted in a loss of 30% of the average trading.”

Mr Henderson said the restrictions in trading will also have a massive impact.

He added: “The arbitrary decision to not allow deliveries after 11pm has also had a devastating effect.

“This has produced an average loss of 40% with no explanation from the executive on why this was put in place even though the rest of UK and ROI currently have no restrictions on deliveries even at the highest level of lockdown.

“The 11pm restrictions means takeaways have to get all orders out on time to customers with a high standard of food quality; they would be limited to taking last orders around 9:45pm. s most takeaways within Northern Ireland do not open until 5pm this would only give businesses only 4hours and 45mins of trade time.”

Mr Henderson said that takeaways in Northern Ireland are having to deal with losing around 70% of average trade while being expected to pay all bills and staff wages with no financial support from the executive. 

“We believe our sector has been forgotten and left hung out to dry but our Executive.”

The NI Takeaway Association that the competition for trade has become more intense.

“Restaurants have now started, understandably, operating as takeaways which makes the market even more saturated.”

Restrictions on deliveries are to be reinstated on November 20 after the current easing from today. The NI Takeaway Association will be liaising with members to keep them up to date on the constantly changing situation.

Members looking for further information on this and other related subjects members can contact Michael Henderson direct on 07425846533 or michael@nitakeawayassociation.co.ukTo become a member go to >> https://www.nitakeawayassociation.co.uk/members-area

Following on from the successful inaugural event in 2019 the NI Festival of Writing is launching an online programme of content to once again encourage and support writers who want to start or develop their skills.

Throughout November and December the free online content will include interviews with local writers and content creators, panel events, workshops and masterclasses.

Director of the festival, James Murphy, said that the festival intends to become even more successful in encouraging local talent.

“While we cannot repeat last year we have worked hard to make sure we have a rich programme that aims to help develop participant’s confidence,” he said. 

“We hope that what we have planned will educate, empower and improve literacy and communications skills.”

The 2020 NI Festival of Writing which has been developed in partnership with Belfast City Council, has launched a Crowdfunding campaign.

“Whilst the events will be free, in order to increase the number and variety of events held throughout the remainder of the year, Belfast City Council have kindly offered to match-fund us to a maximum of £5,000 if we undertake a crowdfunding campaign,” James explained. 

“We have designed a range of opportunities from donations from as little as £5 through to sponsorship opportunities from £100. We have currently raised just over £1,000 and we hope to double that by the end of the crowdfunder this week.

“We know that what we will be providing will make a real impact on participant’s lives through participation, learning and even the opportunity to showcase their work.”

The 2020 programme will include in-depth interviews with local, national and international writers; a range of practical writing and creative writing workshops, online book club and reading recommendations; panel discussions; and, a regular online writing retreat.

This year the festival has joined forces with local public service television channel NVTV to make the festival more accessible to people across the country.

Simon Wood, Chairperson at NVTV said: “Northern Visions is excited to be a partner in the Northern Ireland Festival of Writing this year. One of the pleasures for many of us during these challenging times, especially during lockdown, has been being able to get lost in a book and become acquainted with books we have forgotten we actually own.

“What’s so interesting about the Festival of Writing is that it is writing in all its forms so this is a real voyage of discovery.” 

Fans of the festival can see the main NVTV broadcast on Friday November 27 broadcasting on Freeview 7 (greater Belfast) and Virgin Media 159 (across Northern Ireland).

The festival will also be streaming sessions on Facebook and running a series of online workshop sessions as well as a range of other interactive events throughout November and December.

“In addition we will launch NI Festival of Writing’s very own podcast as well as interactive advice sessions with writers, agents and publishers,” said Festival co-founder Tina Calder.

“With the support of all including our festival partners NVTV, Oranga Creative, BAM magazine, The Secret Bookshelf and my own company Excalibur Press we will make this a success and look forward to having a further programme planned for the time when safer social gatherings can take place.”

To help support the festival the Crowd Funder page can be found here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-northern-ireland-festival-of-writingTo find out more at http://festivalofwriting.org

After serving for 21 years in the RUC William Clegg today releases his story of life in the frontline as a serving officer in his début book, Crime, Comedy and Combat.

From his earliest memories, through to joining the force in 1978 in Enniskillen William’s heartfelt telling of his and his colleagues experiences during some of the darkest days in Northern Ireland’s history.

William regards himself as privileged to have worked in and survived the challenges inherent in high risk, hostile, urban and rural environments throughout the province.

Now living in Indonesia he said the book was a way to explain his experiences.

“It is an anthology for people of all ages of how life changed for a young person prior to, during and subsequent to joining the RUC,” he explained. It is about how ‘we’ were during that bleak period, how we coped at that time and how the incidents and emotions resonate to this day.

“I feel that anyone, whether security services or others, will have a feel of true events, episodes, characters and emotions personally experienced by me.

Tina Calder of publishers Excalibur Press said that it was a privilege to bring William’s tale to the public.

“As we now live in relatively peaceful times we forget the horrors that were part of daily life,” she said. “William has been able to encapsulate the experiences of so many RUC officers who had the daily job of a police officer dealing with crime, whilst also under constant threat.

“No matter your allegiances this is the human story of that time, told compassionately.”

In Crime, Comedy & Combat William tells his story for people of all ages, how a young person’s life changed during the Troubles, joining the RUC, and the incidents and emotions that coloured his life.

Crime, Comedy and Combat, published by Excalibur Press is available from Amazon and excaliburpress.co.uk 

Author James Murphy has released the final part to his crime thriller trilogy, Dark Light, on Excalibur Press.

Previous books in the series, The Rise of Terror and The Terror Within, earned praise from fans and reviewers alike.

Dark Light concludes the series with the Farset Investigations team forced to set aside previous differences to solve murders in Northern Ireland and save an abducted child in the US from the evil cult, The Enlightenment and prevent a killing spree in the name of their greatest nemesis, Terror.

“I’ve been thrilled by how well received the first two books have been and am delighted that so many people are eagerly anticipating this release,” said James. “I know that the shock factor of my endings have become a trademark of my writing.

“I hope that they will be happy with the conclusion but they should be warned that the shock value will be present in the last page as always.”

Dark Light is the conclusion of James’ Terror trilogy, he believes it works as a standalone novel.

“I have been very careful to construct each of the books in a format similar to that of a standalone,” he explained. “The result, each book can be read and enjoyed as a standalone, with each whetting the reader’s appetite to read the others.”

As James was completing Dark Light during the Covid-19 crisis, he admits it did affect the final product.

“Although the themes of identity and change run through all three books, the inspiration has evolved each time,” he said. “This time around, the inspiration reflects the moving on from a period of trauma and developing a new life. Partially written during lockdown, it was inevitable that adjusting to a new normal was going to be a feature. It was never a conscious one though.”

Publisher, Tina Calder of Excalibur Press said: “Since James joined Excalibur Press four years ago he has grown as an author. His books are a series of gripping tales linked together by a core plot line.

“We are absolutely delighted to be publishing the third book in the Terror Trilogy – Dark Light this month.

“Fans of the crime fiction genre will not be disappointed by not just this book but the entire series.

“Gripping, suspenseful and intense – Dark Light is definitely a standout book for me this year.”

Dark Light, published by Excalibur Press is available for pre-order at excaliburpress.co.uk

Bigger, better and set to be burgeoning with the best of music is the promise of Belfast City Blues Festival as the 2021 dates are confirmed.

The iconic festival will return to have the streets, pubs and clubs alive with the blues from Friday, June 25 to Sunday June 27.

Festival Director, Seamus O’Neill, pledged to bring a “bit of light in people’s lives” after the lockdown killed off live music from mid-March.

“It’s been so tough this year, but I think the prospect of live music is what we need,” he said.

“We are planning to make our 13^th festival the best yet, bringing the best local, national and international talent to Belfast.”

The 2020 festival took place online, with people checking in from across the world, and while the festival has contingency plans should restrictions remain in place Seamus and the festival team are ready to return Belfast City Blues Festival come back in style.

“We’ve been working hard behind the scenes during these very uncertain and trying times to create the best and biggest festival for our great city, its citizens and many friends around the world in 2021,” he said “Our mission is to bring back that smile once again that we see on people’s faces at our many gigs, and the connections and friendships that result and, of course, great music.”

And, his message to the musicians is “We haven’t forgotten you! We’re ready to welcome you back on stage to once again celebrate Belfast hosting one of the biggest blues festivals in the land.

“Our mission is to say, Belfast, we are back. Three days of great music with great people in a great city.”

You can play your part in making sure the festival continues to thrive.

“We created the 2020 online festival with no funding from sponsors or funders and so far we’re in the same position for 2021 as Belfast gets back on its feet.”

The festival is appealing for donations to keep the music alive. 

You can register for the festival to be kept up to date with developments and artist announcements or make a donation at https://bit.ly/3oH8NY8.

The mammoth effort of pulling together thousands of people to sew scrubs, scrub hats and gowns for hospitals, hospices, care homes and other caring professionals has drawn to a close with 106,000 items delivered to key workers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

The brainchild of Clara Maybin at the start of the first lockdown, when nursing and care staff were facing shortages, it grew from an appeal to become an army of 9,000 sewers, including Great British Sewing Bee contestant, Angeline Murphy.

In addition a total of £75,000 was raised to purchase the material to make the items.

Now hospitals have said they have sufficient stocks but Clara believes NI Scrubs has started something great.

“The sheer sense of community we have created will last for a long time,” she said. “We have built a real sewing community in Northern Ireland where people have made friends and ask for sewing advice every day. It is a truly invaluable group to a lot of people, in so many ways.”

Angeline also believes the legacy will live on: “It was a great campaign that helped more than just the front line staff. It helped thousands of stitchers rediscover their skills, meet new friends and give back to society.”

It all started when Clara began collecting unused scrubs from dentists that were closing in lockdown.

“When I said I was doing that people started to say they could sew,” she explained.

“Overnight we had far too many people for the WhatsApp group and I had to set up a Facebook group

“The next day we had 80, the next week we had 800 and now we have nearly 9000.”

It was a challenge that consumed every waking hour for Clara.

“When I sit and think about it, it is madness,” she said. When I think of how tough it was it is very overwhelming.  Every day got harder and harder, as more messages came through it was very hard to manage. And getting fabric to people up and down the country was so hard during the lockdown.”

Angeline became involved initially to join the scrub sewing army, but then realised her TV appearance meant she could do more.

“I initially got involved to start sewing but realised that to make an impact I would be better suited to helping raise awareness of it from my profile on Sewing Bee and social media so I was able to get my followers on my pages to help,” she explained. 

And, while NI Scrubs is winding down Angeline wants to continue supporting the sewing community.

“I feel I have a duty to keep the stitchers together and use their skills for the greater good,” she said “I have formed another group NI Big Community Sew in line with the UK wide campaign to make face coverings for the vulnerable in society.”

As for Clara she said she now plans to rest, and can reflect on the wider benefits of NI Scrubs.

“The sheer sense of community we have created will last for a long time,” she said. “Not only have we helped front line staff, I have had several messages from those helping saying we have helped their mental health through lockdown, which is amazing.”

Angeline believes that it has also made a difference beyond the scrubs.

“Together we have made a big difference and all though seen as a dying art sewing is making a comeback,” she explained. “It also proved that when people work together great things can be achieved.”