When community volunteer Raffaella Ravaioli saw how few young people were wearing masks around Plaistow, she decided to ask them why.

Her street survey sparked a project that is improving safety, educating young people about the benefits of masks – and protecting the environment.

With funding from Plaistow South Big Local, Raffaella put together a team to design and manufacture 500 masks, providing something stylish, colourful, appealing, washable and different.

She said: “The youth were wearing disposable masks, sometimes under their chins or under their noses, or not even wearing a mask, gathering together, and I thought there is a need because Covid cases are rising. I wanted something that could protect them and be stylish.”

Most said they weren’t sure about masks or whether Covid is really a problem. As well as health information, Raffaella was able to get across the message that disposable masks end up in landfill or on the pavement.

The team, including a bespoke tailor and a seamstress, came up with a 3D mask that is 100 % cent cotton. It won’t fog glasses and is easily washable.

The plan had been to hand the masks out near local schools at the end of October, but because of tighter Covid restrictions from October 17th, schools will now distribute them.

“They will mainly go to youth in need whose parents can’t afford disposable masks. We are trying to help them in the pocket and saving the planet,” said Raffaella.

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