Alexandra Workwear partners with ELITE to produce scrubs for NHS Wales

Alexandra has partnered with charity ELITE Supported Employment to supply scrubs and PPE for NHS Wales.

ELITE was asked by Alexandra to manufacture scrubs and PPE for NHS Wales in June 2020. The partnership has gone from strength to strength and they are also now producing thousands of aprons, coats and tunics from their base in Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, which are sold by Alexandra.

The partnership has given opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged people to get into work, and ELITE’s existing staff were also able to remain at work rather than be furloughed.

Alexandra Workwear is a Tier One supplier of scrubs and PPE for the NHS in Wales.

Rebecca Jones, global sales director at Alexandra, said: “We are delighted to be able to partner with a charity like ELITE which does such fantastic work. It is great to be able to manufacture these items in Wales while also giving employment opportunities to those who have struggled to get into work.

“It has been great to work with ELITE and other innovative and dynamic companies across Wales to ensure that quality products are being made and supplied into Welsh hospitals and healthcare settings.”

ELITE Supported Employment enables disabled and disadvantaged people to access, obtain and maintain employment through a range of specialist support and interventions.

The charity also operates a number of social enterprises to provide a stepping-stone to work, through accredited training, volunteering and supported paid employment.

Andrea Wayman, CEO of ELITE, said: “The continued relationship with Alexandra has not only provided security for our existing staff, but has also enabled us to create six jobs for disabled and long-term unemployed people since October.

“We are planning to recruit a further five people by June, and through the work provided we will also be able to support a number of staff through additional training and apprenticeships.”