Furness General Hospital benefits from work of refugees

Aziza, an Afghan mum and refugee, first set foot in Lancashire around a year ago and has been working alongside other refugees to create incubator covers for babies born prematurely at Furness General Hospital in Barrow.

Around a dozen or so Afghan women gather once a week within the colourful walls of an ordinary building in Weeton, Fylde, and they are already on their fifth batch of 12 covers.

A painting done by one of the women (Image: Lancashire Gov) Originally of Paktia in Afghanistan, Aziza, 49, explains how she took to sewing for the first time when the Taliban came to power.

Finding herself suddenly powerless and confined to her home overnight due to the dangers, Aziza taught herself sewing to keep herself occupied. In time, it became almost a form of therapy, as for many of those around her.

“The first time when the Taliban took over, I taught myself sewing," she says. "When they returned, I took it up again, as it was like therapy for me."

The blue covers being created (Image: Lancashire Gov) Mary Sharples, Refugee Resettlement Commissioner at Lancashire County Council, highlights how the incubator covers are very much appreciated by grateful staff and families at the hospital.

She said: "So far, we are using the fabric for 12 incubator covers which the group will be making over the next few weeks and months.

"I've delivered one of them to check the size as they are made to measure – it fits perfectly and looks beautiful. This new design also has flaps that can be lifted up so that parents can look at their little one without disturbing their sleep. The women's donation is very much appreciated."

Afghan refugee Aziza sews a cover (Image: Lancashire Gov) Another of the refugees, also named Aziza, is clearly thrilled with the fact that her talents are helping babies.

She said:  "I have been coming here for a year.  I am enjoying all the activities like embroidery, sewing and drawing.

"It's helping me to relax and take my mind off the problems back home as there were lots of problems in Afghanistan, so it's much safer here."