A FERNDOWN based firm is looking for support to ensure every child in Britain has access to a suitable home workplace, after producing a pop-up workstation for both adults and children.

Having produced over 2.5 million facemasks during the first wave of the Covid-19 virus in their Ferndown factory, Mauveworx have invented ‘Pack-A-Desk’ through their new off-shoot Medworx.

Its primary focus being to design and manufacture innovative home, office and business products.

Having recognized a problem late last year that many businesspeople were struggling to find a suitable workspace within their homes, the idea of a something that could pop up and down quickly, store away, and was affordable lead to the invention of ‘Pack-A-Desk’.

Whilst they recognized that this was a much-needed product for the business community they hadn’t really appreciated the current impact that families are now facing with schools closing and having to home-school.

Director James Martin said: “The impact it’s having on school children and their families has been headline news, and we’ve recognized we are in a position where we could really make a difference at this challenging time.

“Across the UK over 1.3 million children are claiming free school meals, including 200,000 children that have had to skip meals during lockdown.

“One senior official mentioned that not only are kids without a workspace, but they are also having to come into school against government regulations due to a lack of suitable study areas”

The temporary desk, which is 100 per cent recyclable, uses specially bonded cardboard that can pop up and down in less than a minute, allowing people to create the space they need only at the time they need it.

Mauveworx have started donating desks to schools in Dorset including Glenmoor, The Grange, Avonbourne and Kingsleigh Primary, to support children eligible for free school meals, but it is clear this will not be enough.

They’d now like to engage with education authorities to see how we can provide some critical support with families, and also with businesses and charities to explore how they can support the children who are less likely to be able to afford suitable workspace within their homes.

Director Toby Martin said: “We’d like to not only engage with education authorities to see how we can provide some critical support with families but would also with businesses and charities to explore how we can support the children who are less likely to be able to afford suitable workspace within their homes.

“We have manufactured over 4000 so far and have the capacity to produce tens of thousands each week, so supply is not our problem.

“Engaging at the right level and funding support are what we are needing help with.”

To find out more call 01202 865170 or visit www.packadesk.co.uk.