Crisp packets converted to blankets for rough sleepers

Zoe Jackman, from Ruislip, has been leading the charitable movement in Watford and London to convert thousands of crisp packets into useful blankets.

The idea kickstarted in November last year, inspired by a woman called Pen Huston who had a similar idea in 2019.

The Crisp Packet Project is a wider national project encouraging people to recycle crisp packets and utilise them in helping the less fortunate. Ms Jackman created the Ruislip Group to help those in the local area.

Thousands of crisp packets were turned into blankets

Around 4,488 packets have been collected so far, and Ms Jackman estimates that 408 metres-squared of single use plastics from going into landfills.

Now the group has celebrated its 100th blanket, alongside three Bivvi bags which have been distributed around Watford, London and Windsor.

Ms Jackman said: “The group is run entirely by volunteers, many of whom, like myself work full time too.

“I’ve had a lot of feedback to say it’s given a sense of purpose to people who have been struggling with boredom during the latest lockdown."

Thousands of crisp packets were turned into blankets

She continued: “The intentions of this group are to keep growing bigger and better and keep making these survival items which really are a critical lifeline to those who are homeless. When I was in London myself, I handed one of these blankets to a man on Bond St, and you could really see the difference in his face knowing he had a waterproof warm blanket that will last on the streets of London.”

Anyone wishing to help join and support the project is asked to visit the Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/193894535671006/