Tenancy update
Rosie has signed a ‘tenancy at will’ lease with Wandsworth Council for the Scrubbery to remain in the Oasis building at present. We are waiting for the council to sign for their part. This tenancy means the council is covering the utility costs of the building. However, The Scrubbery has no rights as tenants and can be asked to leave at any time.
Also remaining in the building is the Boathouse Church. This Christian community, formed in 2011, first worshipped in the King’s College School boathouse-hence their name. Their initial focus was on connecting with the many ‘20-and 30- somethings in Putney’. The group has grown to into a multi-generational congregation. Since 2017, they have been gathering on Sundays in the Oasis Academy hall. They are now also using some of the former classrooms for children’s activities and discussion groups. Their Senior Pastor is Dave Lee who helps Rosie with oversight of the building as there is currently no site manager.
Volunteers
We would be pleased to welcome new volunteers. This is easier now as there is no restriction on numbers in the building. Please spread the word in your local communities. The current age range is 4-97! Everyone who volunteers can be helpful no matter their skills - we need volunteers of all kinds.. People do not have to be able to sew, for example, work includes:
Sorting aid items for shipping and assembling lists for customs documentation.
dyeing and cutting fabric and threading into camouflage nets
Assembling trench candles
Unpicking bed linen for upcycling into adaptive clothing
Cleaning and tidying as there are no cleaners in the building so we are responsible for keeping our area of the building clean and cared for.
The volunteer days in the Oasis building are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. A couple of hours per day is fine and you don’t have to come every day, every week. Anyone preferring to work from home can really help by making trench candles.
Important Collection Change
We are pausing collection of general clothing, except for handknits, as there are more important items to send at present. Please only donate clothing suitable for the stabilisation points where wounded soldiers are prepared for evacuation to hospitals. These include tracksuit bottoms, loose pyjama bottoms, soft tops, fleeces- anything warm and suitable to wear in bed.
Campaign for Pet Food
Animal rescues have become a regular operation on the Ukrainian front line as many people have had to abandon their pets during evacuation, either because the animals couldn’t be found or sometimes because they could not be taken on the transport.
Pets have become an important part of maintaining the morale and mental health of the soldiers and civilians. Many go on to be adopted by soldiers or members of therapy units helping military personnel. Due to limited supplies of pet food, soldiers are sharing their rations with the animals until they can be passed on to the shelters. These shelters are also struggling to meet demand. We also supply food to the dogs who conduct rescues and look for unexploded ordnance.
Rosie is looking for someone to take a joint lead in a letter campaign to collect pet food to send to Ukraine.
This would include:
Writing letters to bulk suppliers and vet practices.
Contacting people for donations.
Sewing
Have you ever wondered what happened to all those donated pillowcases that were piled up in the squash courts? Hilary is transforming them into useful and attractive drawstring bags for the Wandsworth Foodbank. They are used to pre-pack toiletries and sensitive personal items. There is an increase in production to prepare for the pre-Christmas rush. Thank you, Hilary.
Currently, we are also doing a big push to make adult adapted boxer shorts to fit over incontinence pants. This helps the wounded to retain some dignity.
Convoys
A perfect storm of shipments is going to Ukraine, we are supporting three organisations to fill their vehicles. This is because, after sorting and distributing all the uniforms over the summer, we are behind with our usual business.
We should be aware of how dangerous this job is. The drivers go to dangerous places and are often shot at. They drive at speed, barely stopping to hand over the deliveries. It seems that aid convoys are now also being targeted.
EmbraceMe Foundation
Embrace Me collected from The Scrubbery on 27th October. Dimitri is taking TVs, coffee percolators, an all-in-one multi-level cooking pot and plastic cutlery. When the electricity supply is limited, stations are set up in tents and marquees across towns and cities. A generator is brought in so people can come and charge their phones, laptops etc, have a hot drink and meal as with a soup kitchen. Dimitri is also taking children’s clothing, hand-knits and premature baby clothes and blankets. We are also very pleased to have been able to send a large quantity of sports equipment, new footballs and rugby balls and even a goal so that there can be some fun at Christmas.
Medical Lifelines Ukraine
Their delivery includes towels, blankets, medicines, first aid equipment, wheelchairs, mobility aids, splints, support boots, bandages, dressings and stethoscopes.
Pickups4Peace
One of our volunteers, Judith, has spent six months on a police driving course in order to co-drive with a convoy in November. They are collecting medical equipment and Paul, our usual driver is taking trench candles, tools, first aid kits, tarpaulins, ratchet straps, spades, empty diesel cans, gas cookers and heaters, chainsaws and tyres. We have also sent a forest and a snow camouflage net. Paul is delivering to the military, Judith to a hospital in Kharkiv.
Good luck Judith and Paul. Safe travels.
Pickups4Peace are always looking for
Spare tyres for the pickups
Spare filters and other consumables for the pickups
Generators
Mechanics Tools
First Aid Kits
Tarpaulins and Ratchet Straps
Spades
Diesel Cans (empty)
Chainsaws
In Memory
We are sorry to report the death of John Hazel, who had been a volunteer with The Scrubbery since our days at the Bank of England premises. John was first persuaded to join us by his wife Lesley, who remains one of our volunteers, and he sometimes came along with their son Benedict. Although perhaps initially press-ganged into service we really appreciated his help when he was able to spare the time from his very busy academic schedule. John was a witty and wise man whose company, enthusiasm and contribution we truly appreciated. He will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with Lesley, Benedict and their family.
Finally…
Rosie gave a talk to the Wandsworth Society, a local group, about the story of The Scrubbery. The audience was interested, engaged and some were planning to visit the Scrubbery. If you go on to the Wandsworth Society website, there is a link to Rosie’s talk on YouTube. Make yourself a cup of coffee and watch it. It reminds us not just what a phenomenon Rosie is, but that we too are or have been part of the most extraordinary story. Where is there a need, what is it and how can we meet it. This is what we are still doing.
