THE ISSUE OF personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS staff has been key during the coronavirus pandemic.

With news that key workers were not being afforded the PPE they merited, 8-year-old Nahla Bartlett-Vanderpuye quite literally took things into her own hands.

She has been making PPE while at home. In each batch that Nahla has donated she labels one mask with a message which reads “you are all doing a great service: Love Nahla-Rose Age 8”. She has received repeat requests for more masks from all the hospitals she has donated to.

Following on from her coverage on the BBC, Nahla has had an abundance of requests from other key workers for her equipment as far afield as Warrington.

Nahla is currently experiencing lockdown with her family, mum and dad – Charlene and Joe – and grandmother, Rose.

Inspirational Nahla from east London talked The Voice…

RH: When did you have the idea to make PPE for the NHS?

NBV: I had the idea to make the PPE for the NHS when I heard on the news and from my parents that nurses and doctors were risking their lives to help the sick. I heard that they were really low on their protective equipment and some had none at all! This made me sad because they were risking their lives every time they treated people who were infected.

What exactly are you making?

So, I’m making the PLA headbands on the 3D printer, which my grandma has been teaching me to use. I then attach it to the acetate visors. We have cut the visors ourselves using a template and then punch holes in it to join to the headbands, it’s just the PLA headband part that I’m making on the 3D printer.

How many have you made so far, and how do you go about making them in terms of what materials etc.

I’ve made 70 now.

How long does it take you to make one?

The first lot that I made took me 2hrs and 45 mins for 1 mask! But, after my headteacher, Mr Furness, found out we were both doing the same thing and making the same masks on our home 3d printers, he was very pleased and shared a file with my mum. This is now allowing me to make them in just under an hour and a half which is about half the time and that’s made a big difference for me!

What do you think about the great work that the NHS staff and other keyworkers are doing?

I think the work that the NHS and keyworkers are doing is amazing! I don’t know what we would do without them! I also found out that lots of people have volunteered to help too, I think that is also really good.

Are you missing school and how is home schooling going?

Yeah, I’m missing seeing my friends but my mummy has been video calling my friends’ mum’s phones so I can still see and speak to them. Home schooling is good, I’m enjoying the different tasks and love using the iPad.

What would you like to be/do when you are much older and why?

When I’m older, I want to be an inventor or a singer! I love singing and writing songs. I love being creative and making new things, I love art too! Anything that allows me to be creative is good!

How proud are you of Nahla’s initiative and effort?

Charlene and Joe: We’re super proud of her! Nahla is such a smart, funny, kind and caring child, it really is a joy seeing her taking so much pride in helping those who are in need of PPE. We were blown away when she decided that she wanted to buy materials with the pocket money she had been saving. She has donated the masks to some local hospitals already and the feedback has been great, the medical staff that have been wearing them have said how comfortable and protected they feel and have even asked for more! It will be great for her to look back on in years to come at how she personally contributed during a time of crisis.

Your grand-daughter is a special talent, how have you helped her along the way?

Rose: As a STEM coordinator and being very aware of the lack of females in Science, Technology, engineering and maths, it’s an area I have always tried to introduce her to. In an era of multimedia technology that is constantly evolving, I feel digital skills are more important to young people today than ever before. She is a very creative person by nature so I try to expose her to new technologies and we regularly frequent museums, exhibitions, hackathons and tech events together. We always have a great time at these events, its so nice to see it has had a positive influence on her.

Instagram: madebynahla