Kinship caring and stitching with Bobbie-Jo Haarhoff

Caring Craftivists

In 2023, we invited unpaid carers from across Wales to embroider their experiences of caring onto a

yellow duster. These dusters were presented to MPs at the Welsh Parliament, calling for improved

rights. Caring Craftivists is our shared story.

In this episode of Caring Craftivists, we have the pleasure of speaking with Bobbie-Jo Haarhoff, an

unpaid carer and passionate advocate for the rights of kinship carers.

Bobbie-Jo shares her journey as a carer for her daughter and nephew, reflecting on her two decades

of experience in this vital role. We delve into the Domestic Dusters Project, where unpaid carers

have expressed their thoughts and feelings through embroidery on dusters. Bobbie-Jo discusses the

significance of this project and how it aims to amplify the voices of those often overlooked in

society.

We explore the intersection of craft and activism, or 'craftivism', and how Bobbie-Jo's artistic

background informs her approach to advocacy. She reflects on the importance of community,

connection, and the intrinsic value that unpaid carers bring to the health and social care sector.

To learn more about Bobbie-Jo and her incredible work, you can connect with her organisation on

social media and the website https://www.voices.wales/

More information on Kinship Caring here: https://kinship.org.uk/

For inquiries, please email us at: [email protected] or [email protected]

To discover the Domestic Dusters Project, check out: https://domesticdusters.wordpress.com/

For more information on the We Care Campaign, visit us at: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk

To view Bobbie-Jo’s duster go to: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk/craftivism/ and

https://domesticdusters.wordpress.com/partnerships/