ON THE COVER: Q&A Introducing 1TcA: one thought changes all


Daily use of disposable masks contributes to pollution and environmental damage. Disposable masks also act as vectors of bacteria and viruses, yet our masks (thanks to HeiQ Viroblock) destroy both.


How did the idea for 1TcA come about? Talking with family at home about social inequality, and how money is meaningless if it is not used for good fuelled my passion for finding creative ways to help others in a way that does not harm people or the natural world. I like to say we hold hands with Mother Nature.


We recycle our net profits to benefit others and I see my work as a tribute to my invisible ancestors who were economically poor, but who came from a culturally and morally rich background..


What has 1TcA been creating or achieving during the pandemic? In addition to developing and distributing safety solutions within schools, we are beginning to address the identified needs of students who need a space to continue their learning in their homes. Through one of our suppliers, we are distributing folding desks made from recycled materials, which create a pleasant working study environment. We are actively involved in facilitating various


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howcasing our front cover this month, we catch up with RAJ KUMARI-BYFORD,


founder of One Thought Changes All (1TcA), an ethical and environmentally committed distributor of British made safety solutions, to find out more about this company and how it plans to work in partnership with schools and colleges, driving thought leadership and environmental responsibility within education.


What is 1TcA? Please give a quick pen portrait and its main areas of business within the education sector 1TcA is a Social Enterprise organisation which distributes zero waste British Made safety solutions and donates its net profits to charitable causes or school initiatives and campaigns both here and abroad. Current products include reusable face masks


and snoods - made from GRS (Global Recycled Sustainable) plastic, recyclable desks, and screens. We launched our Zero Waste British manufactured masks and snoods in July 2020 and donated the first batch of face coverings to our production line workers, who are paid the living wage. We work in collaboration with a leading Swiss


material science company HeiQ, and our products are treated with HeiQ Viroblock technology, a functional textile technology. This is a combination of HeiQ’s specially engineered (and recycled) antimicrobial silver technology and a vesicle technology which is proven protective against the virus which causes COVID-19. Recyclable and reusable products are key to


what we do. In designing our unique face masks, reducing the environmental impact was critical.


educational projects. We are currently working with six schools across two Academies in the West Midlands and have donated over £70,000 worth of face masks to date. Our work with one of these schools, for example, involves collaborating with corporate sponsors to provide a library and books for its students and the wider community.


What is your Ambassador Programme? Students who become ambassadors learn about environmental accountability and the real-world application of science and technology as an example of solving world-wide problems. Ambassadors learn these problem solving and critical thinking skills, which are transferable into any future workplace. They then share with their peers their understanding of the science and technology they have learnt and the importance of recycled and reusable products, etc to help protect mother nature.


How important is your message to your work with schools? The message behind our safety solutions is founded on our principles of creating solutions from identified needs at the grassroots levels from our lived experiences through thoughts that are developed in to actions. For example, our masks are recyclable and we are currently designing eco- friendly bins to collect them in when they are no longer usable. We aim to put 26,000 bins into 26,000 schools and colleges to encourage and educate everyone about not using disposable masks that are polluting our world.


If you could describe your core values to teachers and students what would you say? Compassion, respect, resilience, and responsibility


10 www.education-today.co.uk April 2021


are key values underpinning all we do. These are not simply just the values of 1TcA’s staff, our statement of corporate responsibility, or the values of the schools we are working closely with; these are lifelong core values that will help to create a safe and respectful world for future generations.


What do your educational customers say about the solutions you provide? Woodfield Academy is one of five schools nationally to have been chosen to partner with 1TcA and receive face masks powered by HeiQ Viroblock. 1TcA donated face coverings to all Year 7 and 8 students, as well as all staff. Before school restarted, letters and leaflets were sent to parents explaining the scheme and how the students were to use the masks in school, adopting them as part of their uniform. Instead of using disposable masks which would harm the environment, everyone was to wear, wash, re- wear the new masks provided. In addition, 1TcA and HeiQ attended an online student assembly to explain the science, technology and environmental benefits of using reusable face masks made from recycled waste plastic bottles. Suki Powar, Head Teacher at Woodfield


Academy, Worcestershire, says that working with 1TcA has been “inspirational” for her schools’ community, and that, “the principle of starting with a thought, taking responsibility and being problem-solvers and change agents for the betterment of others,” is at the core of the partnership.


What is your vision for the company within the next year and five years? Our vision is to create an innovative blueprint for schools. This involves thought leadership and environmental stewardship, by developing meaningful experiences that encapsulate problem-solving, personal, and environmental responsibility, and help children to be prepared for the evolving world of work and opportunity that awaits them. In the next five years, we plan to have a strong


brand in place, further develop the Ambassador Programme, and extend what we offer to many more schools.


Get your school involved, visit: uwww.1TcA.com Call Raj Kumari-Byford u079047102 or emailucontact@1TcA.com


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