The Blooming: how one driveway became a forest of kindness

When the pandemic hit and masks were impossible to find, one mother of five in Morden simply started sewing. What began on a single driveway in Morden grew into a borough-wide network that put more than 38,500 reusable masks into the hands of people who needed them most. In the early days of the pandemic, Syebvonne Nguyen looked around her and saw a problem she could solve with what she already had: a sewing machine, some fabric, and time. She started making masks for her family and friends. Then for NHS workers. Then for care homes. Then for anyone.

She set up a Mask Tree on her driveway in Morden — a simple, radical act of generosity. Passersby were welcome to take a free mask. Those who could afford to donate £2 did; those who could not, could simply take one. No questions asked. The money raised bought more fabric. More fabric meant more masks that were donated to schools for children receiving free lunches.

Word spread. Neighbours across Merton, Sutton, Wandsworth, and Lambeth set up their own trees. Then businesses. Then schools. The original tree — named Blooming — had inspired a forest. People travelled across boroughs just to visit it.

Her nine-year-old daughter learned to sew to help make poppy masks for Remembrance Sunday. Her community had found a shape. Little A.R.K. — Acts of Random Kindness — took its name from the belief Syebvonne had quietly held all along: that small acts, multiplied by community, can change everything. The mask trees were the proof.