People Powered – The Entertainment Industry Mobilises to Support NHS

02/04/2020

Across the entertainment and events industry, diaries abruptly emptied last month with thousands of events cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak; leaving a huge number of freelancers without work for the foreseeable future. Katharine Williams (a lighting designer who previously worked on Crew for Calais) and Jono Kenyon (a lighting designer whose partner works in ITU) came up with the idea of putting together People Powered UK: a team of freelancers who could provide support to the NHS, including ITUs (intensive treatment units) where need is greatest, in order to relieve pressure on the health service and assist with flattening the curve. WL’s Key Account Manager Stuart Porter is a member of the Nationwide Support Team.

People Powered UK has over 900 members from across the entertainment and live event industries. They’re using their skills and experience developed from working in theatre, festivals and events to help build structures quickly and effectively, as well as source equipment from outside the NHS’s usual supply chain in order to provide solutions to the various challenges which hospitals are currently experiencing. Those in the Production industry already work with the emergency services and local authorities at SAGs, on health and safety, and at planning meetings so are fully aware of the procedures and protocol that need to be in place.

This week People Powered has started building structures at Stoke Mandeville Hospital which will be used for triage and isolation units and help increase capacity. There are plans underway for more structures and infrastructure at High Wycombe, Kingston, and Birmingham and Solihull hospitals.

People Powered members also secured 3000+ walkie-talkie radios and placed them with Homerton, Lewisham, Barts, and Croydon hospitals and will be supplying to more trusts this week, including Royal London, Imperial, Guys, UCLH and Royal Free. These radios will reduce the amount of PPE needed, by allowing hospital staff to more easily communicate between COVID-19 and non-COVID spaces about treatment plans. They are also providing tour buses to be used as staff rest areas and talking about other ways in which they can provide tangible help. People Powered Scotland are busy north of the border, and People Powered Australia is up and running too.

Sam Oldham, Commercial and Operations Director, Roundhouse: “Our industry is full of highly-skilled workers, many of whom are currently out of work or have been furloughed. They have essential skills which can be used to support the NHS and we’re so proud to see the Roundhouse technical and production team joining forces with others across the industry to make a real difference – I know we are in extremely safe hands with all of their expertise at the helm.”

WL’s Stuart Porter comments: “Whilst these are worrying and unprecedented times for our industry, it’s both inspiring and humbling to see so many skilled individuals step forward and actively use their years of skill and experience towards such a brilliant cause. The work they’ve done so far is nothing short of astonishing and the impact its made has been immediately felt”.

If you are interested in becoming part of the People Powered team, then please visit their website where you can find more information along with the sign up sheet.

CONTACT FOR NHS STAFF NEEDING ASSISTANCE: help@peoplepowereduk.org

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/peoplepowered20

HASHTAG: #HereToHelp, #KeepTeamsTalking (radio specific)