The Design and Technology department at Leasowes High School in Halesowen have been busy designing and producing Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) in the form of face visors.

Stuart Chatterton, along with four colleagues (Melanie Jamieson, Kathryn Wilkes, Matthew Mynott and Martin Lopez) have manufactured and supplied over 400 visors in just three days. These have been distributed to local hospitals, care homes, pharmacies and key workers within the NHS working in the local area. This has all been made possible by teaming up with Design & Technology departments up and down the country and combining their comprehensive design and manufacturing expertise and machinery.

“The visor frames are created using a three-piece component design for the headband using 2D design Software and cutting with precision on the laser cutter, allowing us to make a fully adjustable and robust headband for much-needed PPE equipment. The polypropylene used for the headbands is repurposed from A3 coursework folders, with each recycled folder being used to produce up to six visors. We then simply hole punch a clear sheet of plastic and attach to the head band section. Unfortunately we will soon run out of the Polypropylene sheet material, therefore we are looking for donations ASAP and if anyone is in a position to support us, please contact Stuart on or via Facebook

“Due to the shortage of PPE nationwide for NHS staff and key workers, we feel fortunate we have the material, manufacturing facilities and skilled staff with a passion to support our local community and as a team we will do all we can to manufacture as many as possible. We have been overwhelmed with the support of the parents, workers and general public at this difficult time,” explained Stuart.

One company that has benefitted from a generous donation is Tipton-based Dolphin Lifts Midlands to help support the need for PPE to protect the staff that are engaging with customers when installing and servicing stairlifts, wheelchair lifts, through the floor lifts and hoists.

PPE“We are incredibly grateful to Stuart Chatterton, the Design & Technology Curriculum Manager at the school along with his colleagues for this incredibly generous donation.  During these extremely challenging times, we take the safety of our customers and staff very seriously and have been having trouble sourcing additional PPE equipment so this donation is fantastic,” commented Lee Farrington, managing director, Dolphin Lifts Midlands.

“I think I speak for many people when I say the work being done by so many people across the UK without any recognition is truly inspiring. On behalf of not just the staff here at Dolphin Lifts Midlands but also all of our customers I would like to say a huge thank you as without the equipment we would be unable to keep helping the people of the West Midlands live independently within their homes. So, if you can help Stuart with any donations please do not hesitate to contact him. We are also starting to run low on gloves and hand sanitiser and having trouble sourcing new supplies so if any local organisations could help us that would be greatly appreciated,” concluded Lee.

You can email Lee on or call 0800 032 2080.

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