An innovative seamstress who is stitching her community together by creating useful items for those in need has found a new Darlington home for her expanding enterprise.
Donna Gurney launched Sew Happy to Help as a Community Interest Company (CIC) in May this year after an overwhelming response to her handcrafted solutions to problems faced by patients during a hospital stay, respite or palliative care.
Drawing on decades of experience as a tailor, upholsterer and interior designer, Donna has developed a range of thoughtfully-designed items to give patients a little dignity and a splash of colour in their time of need.
By formalising her community-minded efforts as a registered CIC, Donna has been able to recruit an active team of volunteers to upcycle donated bedding, curtains and clothing into useful items, and is able to raise funds to do more.
Now, Sew Happy to Help has expanded into a new office at Business Central in Central Park. Donna also runs an established business, Smampy’s Corner, offering sewing lessons and workshops – which was the source of her inspiration for her innovations.
“This whole adventure began with one of my students who is an end-of-life nurse at St Teresa’s Hospice,” said Donna.
“On her first lesson, she asked if I could create a pattern for a catheter bag cover. By the third lesson, I had a pattern and had sewn up a few covers for the hospice to try.
“They were warmly received by the families of the patients. Those few little stitches gave a little dignity and brought a little comfort in times of need. I was really inspired by this and decided to host a sew-along, with all items made that day donated to charity.”
An appeal for materials to Darlington Business Club and on social media led to a flood of requests and increasingly innovative ideas, as well as volunteers and kind donations.
Once set up as a CIC, Donna was able to create a wish list on Amazon and a Go Fund Me page so her work could reach even more people in her community.
She said: “I realised how my skills in making dolls clothes could help parents going through the pain of stillbirth. I created snuggle bags for those little souls who don’t make it and beautiful little outfits.
“As word spread, the NHS asked me to make ‘twiddle muffs’ for people with Alzheimer’s and autism. They’re like a winter muffler but with things to fiddle with inside to create a distraction and prevent them from pulling on their cannula in their hand if they have a drip.”
Donna then began working with three students who are recovering from breast cancer to understand how her skills might ease the recovery from a mastectomy. Together they designed bottle bags to allow patients to shower more comfortably and breast cushions to protect against car seat belts.
Her work was recognised at the Women in Business Awards run by Darlington Business Club, where she received nominations in four categories and won the title for Innovation in Sustainability.
Now, the mother-of-four, is focused on building on this momentum at Business Central by raising awareness of Sew Happy to Help’s work and recruiting more support.
“All of this has happened in less than a year. It’s absolutely amazing,” she added. “It started small but things developed quickly and before I knew it, we’ve built something of a community that’s making a difference.
“My move to Business Central is a lovely new chapter. It’s so nice to walk into the building and be greeted by friendly faces and a warm hello. After working for years with dolls, it’s lovely to have real people to talk to again!
“Tenants have been popping in to introduce themselves and are already asking for sewing lessons, upholstery and alterations.
“A neighbouring company in the building called Resilient Business Systems has very kindly bought me sacks of wheat so I can make microwave heat bags to donate to charity and sell to raise money for my CIC.”
Dan Sanderson, Centre Manager at Business Central, said: “Donna is a great example of a new wave of social entrepreneurs who are using their skills and passions to make a positive difference in their community.
“We are over the moon to welcome her to our friendly neighbourhood and cannot wait to see what she does next with her creativity and kindness.”
Business Central and neighbouring sister site Innovation Central are owned by Darlington Borough Council and are managed by the North East BIC. They provide a connected business community at the heart of the town’s Central Park development, offering a choice of coworking, office and lab space along with meeting rooms, events and shared services designed to help today’s entrepreneurs to innovate and thrive.
- Sew Happy to Help is appealing for donations of bedding to be upcycled, as well as volunteers to help with projects and contributions to its fund raising. To offer support, or buy one of Donna’s handcrafted creations, visit www.sewhappytohelp.co.uk