A talented group of Royal High School Bath students have set up a business designing handmade matching face masks for children and their teddy bears.
Eloise, Daisy, Pam and Eliza, all from Year 11, set up ‘Teddy And Me Masks’ to help young children who are feeling anxious about returning to school after a long period in isolation.
“We are four girls that are passionate about making a difference in the lives of young children,” explained Daisy, social networker, Instagram manager, marketing, PR and logo designer. “We make masks for both children and their toys. The aim of our products is to provide a feeling of comfort and security to try and encourage children to wear masks and feel less scared of teachers when going back to school.”
The girls came up with the idea as part of the Design Thinking course run by the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) – the brief was to work together to find innovative solutions to some of the problems faced during the Covid-19 crisis.
“During the making of PPE for the NHS and a number of primary schools, I decided to make my three-year-old cousin a face mask with a matching one for her dolly as I thought it would be a nice idea to help her feel less scared of seeing people now wearing face-masks,” said Eloise, innovator and product designer. “It was the making of this mask and the group work in the design thinking course that led me to the concept of TeddyandMe Masks.”
“Eloise explained her idea to me in the design thinking course and I related to it as I had a similar problem with my nephew who was afraid to return to school,” added Pam, web designer and general manager. “I have really enjoyed creating a website to advertise the business and help make a difference to young children in these uncertain times.”
All the masks are handmade with a choice of fun prints including birds, llama’s, toucans, lady birds and dinosaurs, and available to purchase online.
As part of the project, the girls will donate 10 per cent of all profits to Bristol Children’s Hospital’s Grand Appeal.
“We wanted the Bristol Children’s Hospital to be our charity partner since it is dedicated to caring for children and our new business also aims to protect children and help them through these uncertain times,” said Eliza, advertising, PR and hospital liaison. “On a personal note, my brother has severe asthma and so has been to the Children’s Hospital numerous times so we are very aware of the brilliant work that is done there.”
After reading about the new business venture, former Royal High School Bath student and children’s book writer Jane-Anne Hodgson was keen to help and has offered to fund a website upgrade.
Find out more by visiting www.teddyandmemasks.com