Coronavirus: what are we doing at InStitches? |
This page was updated on 20/03/2020.
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With so much uncertainty at the moment and as the Coronavirus situation accelerates, we feel we should let you know about how we are managing the situation at InStitches.
Neither Terry nor Hazel has contracted the virus or, to our knowledge, had any contact with anyone who has. However, we are being ever more vigilant with respect to hygiene and cleanliness provision in the studio including regular cleaning of all those areas of high use - door handles, work bench coverings and table tops, toilet, kitchen area etc - while being aware of the importance of regular hand washing. We are doing as much as we reasonably can to prevent contamination including providing paper hand towels in the toilet and kitchen.
Neither Terry nor Hazel has contracted the virus or, to our knowledge, had any contact with anyone who has. However, we are being ever more vigilant with respect to hygiene and cleanliness provision in the studio including regular cleaning of all those areas of high use - door handles, work bench coverings and table tops, toilet, kitchen area etc - while being aware of the importance of regular hand washing. We are doing as much as we reasonably can to prevent contamination including providing paper hand towels in the toilet and kitchen.
Will your classes and workshops be continuing?
As our class sizes are small and we have plenty of room in the studio for social distancing, at the moment we intend to remain open and continue with our programme as planned. This position will be reviewed on a regular basis and changed if and when it is necessary, or if there is a recommendation or directive from the Government. Read the current Government Guidelines for Social Distancing and Vulnerable People.
What if you need to close InStitches temporarily?
Should we need to close temporarily we will announce cancelled workshops on the Courses and Workshops at a Glance page, and contact booked students individually by email.
How are you communicating with people booked on classes?
We are reviewing the situation daily and emailing people who have a class coming up in the next two weeks individually. As the situation is changing so rapidly, we are working on a two-week rolling schedule so we can send the most up-to-date information about the viability of your workshop.
Will you still provide food on guest tutor days?
At the moment we are unable to say, but we will let individuals concerned know in good time if not so they can make alternative arrangements.
What can I do to protect myself in the studio?
While you are in the studio you may feel more secure by bringing hand-sanitiser and wipes etc with you. We use a dishwasher and encourage single use of cups however you may also want to bring your own cup. We leave that entirely up to you - we want you to feel comfortable, happy and enthused, while encouraging everyone to be mindful of meticulous hand hygiene.
What should I DO if I have been in contact with the virus?
We do ask that if you are due to attend your class and there is a likely risk that you have been in contact with the virus, please let us know as soon as possible that you will not be attending and then follow the government directive to self-isolate.
Likewise, if you have attended class here at InStitches and then quickly go on to develop symptoms, please let us know so we can inform everyone else who attended with you.
Likewise, if you have attended class here at InStitches and then quickly go on to develop symptoms, please let us know so we can inform everyone else who attended with you.
What WILL HAPPEN if you cancel my class or workshop?
Should anything change and your class must be cancelled we will let you know immediately; please check your emails regularly.
Students booked on one-day workshops, guest tutor workshops and short courses
If we are forced to cancel future workshops we will offer you three options:
If we have to cancel dates in the future, we will endeavour to add extra dates later in the year.
We are looking into the possibility of holding short class updates via Zoom meetings or similar.
Each long course group has their own closed social media group so they can support each other and share inspiration.
Students booked on one-day workshops, guest tutor workshops and short courses
If we are forced to cancel future workshops we will offer you three options:
- We could transfer your deposit to the next scheduled workshop of that type or with that specific guest tutor, giving all currently signed-up students first option when the new dates are announced.
- OR we could transfer your deposit to any to other course you may wish to book in the future
- OR we could give you a full refund of your deposit/ course fee
If we have to cancel dates in the future, we will endeavour to add extra dates later in the year.
We are looking into the possibility of holding short class updates via Zoom meetings or similar.
Each long course group has their own closed social media group so they can support each other and share inspiration.
What if I have been advised to self-isolate or am in a vulnerable group and am unable to attend?
Please let us know immediately by email if you are unable to attend your workshop for this reason. If your workshop is imminent you will have received an email from us outlining your options - please reply to this.
Are you still taking bookings?
YES! We all need something to look forward to in stressful times like these so we would be happy to take your booking for the future. Should we need to close temporarily we will announce cancelled workshops on the Courses and Workshops at a Glance page, and contact booked students individually by email.
Keep an eye on the website because we will soon be uploading our exciting 2020/2021 programme.
Keep an eye on the website because we will soon be uploading our exciting 2020/2021 programme.
How can I keep creative while I am staying at home?
We know that for many of you it isn't just 'messing about' with paper, paint, cloth and thread. It's about friendship, community, inner peace, fulfilment, the joy of creating, developing a creative voice and so, so much more. We know, we get it; we are with you on that.
Our gift to you over these next days, weeks and even months to come is a spark of creative joy. While we are both fit and well, we plan to come to the studio most days and are devising a programme of creative prompts to keep you busy and distracted for a while. Each week we plan to bring you both a paper- and a cloth-based project. We are calling this #institchescreative2020.
There are several ways you can keep up to date with #institchescreative2020:
Our gift to you over these next days, weeks and even months to come is a spark of creative joy. While we are both fit and well, we plan to come to the studio most days and are devising a programme of creative prompts to keep you busy and distracted for a while. Each week we plan to bring you both a paper- and a cloth-based project. We are calling this #institchescreative2020.
There are several ways you can keep up to date with #institchescreative2020:
- Sign up for our newsletter and opt in for #institchescreative2020 emails (existing subscribers will need to update their preferences to opt in)
- Visit our blog regularly – you can sign up for RSS feeds and have it delivered direct to your inbox
- Follow us on Instagram and Facebook so you will hear about new posts as they happen
I have another question...
Please contact us and we'll do our best to answer.
Thank you for your patience and understanding
As a small creative business in uncertain times we thank you all for your understanding and support. We are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our students and guest tutors, whilst ensuring that all of our businesses remain viable for the future. We will need this creative community when all this is over!
Please look after yourselves and everyone around you. Together we will get through this and don’t forget – keep washing those hands!
As a small creative business in uncertain times we thank you all for your understanding and support. We are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our students and guest tutors, whilst ensuring that all of our businesses remain viable for the future. We will need this creative community when all this is over!
Please look after yourselves and everyone around you. Together we will get through this and don’t forget – keep washing those hands!
