LOCKDOWN LEADER: Made.com
A huge, homely (and virtual obvs) hug goes to one of our favourite companies made.com who have been bringing some much needed hygge to exhausted health workers too busy to get back to their own beds.
The furniture and design online business, founded in 2010 by serial entrepreneur Ning Li, has been trying to make break-out areas in hospitals more comfortable by sending sofa beds, dining tables, coffee tables, mugs, plates, cushions and even art to lift depleted spirits.
“With NHS staff on the front line working around the clock, and many unable to head home between shifts, we wanted to help where we can,” explains Jo Jackson, chief creative officer at made.com. "We’ve utilised what stock we have available in the UK to donate everything from sofa beds to mugs and plates.
"We hope these help to better equip hospital break rooms for healthcare workers, which are so often overlooked, and support these hard-working heroes with a more comfortable place to have a well-deserved rest. We’re incredibly grateful and in awe of the work the NHS and frontline workers are doing at this time.”
Word of the campaign spread, and Made.com started to receive emails from NHS workers listing the furniture and accessories needed by their departments, including intensive care units. So far made.com has donated more than 1,500 products to 160 departments in 122 hospitals across the UK — including Glasgow Royal Infirmary, University Hospital Cardiff, Manchester University Hospital and Great Ormond Street, London — and the scheme continues.
And NHS workers have been taking to social media to thank the design company.
Geeta Aggarwal writes: "Huge thank you to @madedotcom for the donation of a sofa bed and beanbags to the ICU and theatre dept @RSCHAnaesthesia @RoyalSurrey. Taking some well-earned rest during this time is vital. THANK YOU!"
While Ellie Powell wrote: "Thank you @madedotcom for your generous donation of sofa beds for our critical care department at @CV_UHB. Will give HCWs space for some well needed rest over this busy time. #keepwellNHS #stop #breathe #think.”