*******OUR 1000 FREE FACE MASKS CAMPAIGN IS NOW FINISHED! WE HAVE GIVEN AWAY OVER 1000 FREE FACE MASKS AND NOW ARE GOING TO TAKE A BIT OF A BREAK - IF THE GENERAL PUBLIC WISH TO PRE-ORDER ANY MASKS PLEASE CLICK HERE. THANK YOU.********

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We hope to have up to  1000 face mask ready from 15th of April 2020. Ready to be collected from our shop in Bexhill. They are donated FREE to all key workers and we will give additional filters for organisations with greater clinical need.  Please fill in the form below and state how many do you need. We recommend at least 2 masks for each staff as you need to wash them between shifts. We recommend you wash your hands before and after using these masks. All masks will come with instructions.  The masks are made from 100% cotton in 4 plain colours, and are washable and reusable with an aluminium nose bridges.They have elastic ties which you can replace or customise to fit your (clinical) needs and comfort. We have at the moment one size which a normal adult face. If anyone wants a smaller size please ask. Click here to see samples of the mask and instructions for use.

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WARNING DISCLAIMER: 

Although these are handmade by our sewers and makers we aim to make them to the highest level for your protection. We have been advised that the use of these masks will only provide you adequate protection and all organisations have to make their own clinical judgements as to the use of these masks.  Although the filter we put in these masks remove airborne particles down to 2.5 microns - we do not claim or guarantee that it will. A mask is only as good as the filter and the seal it makes on the face. We have heard that some organisations have added double sided skin tape around the filter edge to make a tighter seal on these masks.

We are fully aware of the debate regarding the effectiveness of face masks in preventing the wearer contracting the virus but the argument is that it is an effective way by which the wearer can help limit their own spread of the virus onto other people. We still advocate first and foremost the government’s own advice on washing hands and social distancing as good positive ways to prevent the spread of the virus. But we have tried to do as much research on this matter and although there are numerous designs out there we have followed those that has been chosen by hospital and medical staff as the most effective mask we can make that may help bridge the gap between supply and demand. These masks are no way intended to be used by front line medical professionals or clinicians and are not meant as replacements for N95 masks. We are merely filling a gap in supply for other key workers to provide added protection in this time of a national emergency need.

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We have followed the science and have taken the view of choosing this particular Olson Mask design as it is one of the few that has passed the US OHSA FIT test (with a few modifications) for hospital use. We do not advocate that it should be used for this purpose but we wanted to make one that has the highest level of protection possible. We have sourced PM2.5 filters that fit inside our face mask (these filters are approved at removing airborne particles down to 2.5 microns. Note: the corona covid-19 virus is 0.1 micron so it will never stop the spread – but most virus transmission occurs from the touching the virus on hands and then entering the nose, mouth or face. We have designed our masks to reusable and washable with the filters being replaceable.

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We would be grateful for any donation to cover the costs of materials and if we have any surplus we will invest in buying more filters to redistribute. 

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Thank you from all at Starlings Art & Craft Collective.

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Due to demand we will prioritise all requests upon organisational need. Please specify whether your organisation is a charity/volunteer/public; private; community care homes/private organisation. We will contact you as to when you can collect these masks and what we can offer. Please bring ID to verify your name and organisation. 

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Filters are in short supply. They are not expensive but if you can donate then we can buy greater volumes to guarantee supply. We recommend replacing the filters on  a  daily basis if you are in a care setting otherwise once every week. 

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