A STUDENT and her dad have been working together to assemble facemask tension bands for the NHS.

Harriet Outram, in year 7 at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy, is using her 3D printer to make the bands every day.

She was inspired to start producing tension bands after reading that Year 11 engineering student Alfie Jones at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy was doing that at home.

The 11-year-old has been working with her younger brother George, 10, and her dad Mark to get it done.

She said: "Design and technology is my favourite subject at school. My dad and I worked out how to put the printer together, and then we went online to find some programs to make the bands. It feels really good to know that these are going out to help those people in the NHS who are helping patients who are poorly.”

So far she has made 1,000 bands which have been distributed to Chippenham Community Hospital.

Alfie has sent his bands to Great Western Hospital.

Harriet’s mum Vicky, said: “Harriet’s dad is very practical, and with a bit of help from him Harriet has picked this up extremely quickly,” she said. “For someone of her age, I think she’s taken it all on board very fast, and is really committed to what she’s decided she wants to do.”


Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Key Stage 3 co-ordinator for design and technology Stephanie Payne said: “Harriet had no prior experience with 3D printing but with the help of her dad who works in IT, she was able to start production very quickly. It is astonishing that someone so young has learned new skills in order to help others. She has shown fantastic initiative and tenacity, and we’re very proud of her too.”


Key Stage 4 co-ordinator Sarah Day said: “We are really proud of Harriet’s achievement and her contribution to help the NHS staff cannot be underestimated. It’s great to see another young female engineer making a difference to society and we look forward to seeing her engineering skills develop over the next few years!”


Douglas Blair is the managing director of Wiltshire Health and Care which provides adult community NHS services for the county.
He said: “The generosity and kindness shown by our local communities has been really appreciated. PPE equipment can sometimes be uncomfortable to wear, so these tension bands have made a real difference. Thanks Harriet and George!”