April 2026 News
The Future
As you know, Rosie has been communicating with Wandsworth Council about the future of the Scrubbery after the Oasis Academy closes at the end of this term. Rosie was delighted to be visited by members of the Children’s Services team in Wandsworth; Gary Hipple, Assistant Director of Children’s Support Services, Kat Wyatt, Director of Place and Partnerships and Lisa Fenaroli, Director of Education.
They were pleased to confirm that The Scrubbery can stay in the building until the Council has reached a decision about the building’s future.
They recognised “the work and support that The Scrubbery provides to the community and would like to continue working closely to help secure a strong and sustainable medium to long term future in remaining at the Oasis Academy.” Their letter particularly mentioned their pleasure in meeting the volunteers and witnessing the care and pride everyone takes in their work. The important message they took away is the commitment to keeping people at the heart of everything.
A Large Donation
Everyone will recall Rosie’s mission to improve and rationalise the scrubs, trousers and tunics worn by practitioners in the NHS. As a result of the changes, the Scrubbery accepts new obsolete stock, and also sorts and mends old uniform in preparation for shipment to Ukraine. This involves hours of work but the stock would otherwise be incinerated or sent to landfill. The Bedfordshire Hospital NHS Trust has delivered sending us upwards of 100 uniforms declared as reusable. Thanks to their Sustainability and Social Impact officer and Green Champion, Justine. The donation was delivered to us by one of their porters on his day off. Justin is ex-military and when he heard what we were doing was right behind helping us. Our thanks to him for his help.
Dress a Girl Around The World
More dresses and charming knitted and crocheted garments have been received from our partner charity for shipping to Ukraine. So many people all around the country contribute to what we are able to send. We are truly grateful for their kind hearts.
Tote Bags and Bread
Rackets Cubed is a charity dedicated to enhancing the lives of children. Their school programme supports underserved children by promoting extracurricular opportunities, racket sport coaching and a nutritious meal. Their community programmes extend support to local families including offering food provision. Locally this is in partnership with the Roehampton Community Box. The Scrubbery also regularly supports this social supermarket with deliveries of over-bakes from local Gail’s stores.
We are currently making tote bags for Roehampton Community Box from coffee sacks, to help clients transport their essentials.
Our youngest volunteers delivering to Roehampton Community Box.
This mention of upcycling made me think of all the many ways that we recycle:
- Pillowcases to bags for Wandsworth Food Bank
- Tennis and football nets to camouflage netting
- Small patches of material to quilts
- Leftover material to wellbeing bags
- Chorister’s cloaks to children’s winter coats
- Candle stubs and tins to trench candles
- Leftover wool to baby clothes, cast socks and blankets
- Foil blankets from the London Marathon to individual first aid kits in Ukraine
- Duvet covers to scrub hats for London hospital trusts
I am sure that there are countless more examples. I just can’t think of them. Do drop me a line of you think of some.
Foodcycle
Another destination for our overbakes deliveries is Foodcycle in Roehampton. Foodcycle creates a cycle of positive change by reducing food waste and hunger, tackling loneliness, supporting mental health and encouraging healthy eating and sustainable living.
