It all began with a serendipitous meeting on Instagram, when I (Katy) came across Vanessa’s powerful project, Domestic Dusters, a creative and collaborative research initiative that invites women to embroider their experiences of invisible domestic labour onto yellow dusting cloths. As a full-time carer, this resonated deeply.
Carers’ work, much like the household chores that Vanessa highlighted, often goes unnoticed. It is a role dominated by women and is largely invisible to society. I initially reached out to Vanessa to ask if I could create my own craftivism piece with dusters. To my delight, she not only agreed but offered to collaborate. The Caring Craftivists We Care Domestic Dusters collaboration was born.
Craftivism as a voice for carers
The motivation behind this project was simple yet profound: we needed to help carers express their feelings in a way that worked within the constraints of their demanding roles. Many carers cannot attend meetings or join protest marches. Craftivism – craft as activism – was a perfect medium to channel their experiences to decision-makers in an impactful way.
Through an existing partnership with Oxfam GB, we aimed to build a stronger, more visible community of campaigning carers in Wales. Collectively, we set out to reduce the isolation carers often feel and provide a creative outlet for their voices to be heard.
The heart of this collaboration was to bring the often-invisible stories of carers into the public and political spotlight.
Many carers, especially those with intense or long-term caring responsibilities, are unable to engage with traditional forms of advocacy. They cannot take time away from their care duties to attend protests or policy meetings, and often their voices are lost in the shuffle of larger, louder issues. The Caring Craftivists collaboration enabled them to engage on their terms, creating powerful, visible symbols of their experiences that could not be ignored.
Building a community of craftivists
Oxfam Cymru played a key role by displaying posters about the project in their shop windows across Wales. Volunteers – some of whom discovered they were carers through this project – took it a step further by organising stitching sessions. This connection between crafting and realising their own identities as carers was powerful.
The beauty of this project was its accessibility. To support participants, we distributed craft packs with all the necessary materials, including instructions in both Welsh and English. The bilingual element was crucial to ensuring the project reached all corners of the Welsh community. Many rural carers, especially those in Welsh-speaking areas, often feel even more isolated, making this project a lifeline for connection. We wanted to make sure everyone could take part, so we also held a series of online workshops over the summer to guide carers through the process. The inclusive online format allowed carers to feel part of something bigger, even from the comfort of their homes.
Through these online sessions, carers shared not only their crafting skills but also their stories, frustrations and hopes. This fostered a growing sense of community. For many, it was the first time they had connected with other carers facing similar challenges. The simple act of stitching gave them a voice, a sense of belonging and a collective strength. This was embodied within the duster, which as a simple cleaning cloth, shared the invisibility of the tasks they undertook.
The dusters, each stitched by participants with their personal stories, were then displayed at the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) on International Day of Care in October, and presented to MPs, calling for change.
Breaking down barriers and creating change
Through this project, we uncovered the deep sense of isolation many carers felt. The act of stitching their experiences onto dusters gave them a chance to connect with others who truly understood their struggles. The co-creation of the dusters created a sense of community among carers, many of whom had long felt alone in their roles.
The exhibit was much more than just a display of crafting activities; it was a bold, visual representation of carers’ daily lives and struggles. Each duster told a unique story, stitched in the hands of those who often work behind closed doors, away from public view. This powerful display at the Senedd created a moment where the often-invisible labour of carers could no longer be ignored.
Of course, we faced challenges along the way. Ensuring that everything was bilingual required finding translation services through ‘Hello Blod’, a Welsh Government initiative. We also had to navigate logistical hurdles – like getting needles, thread and washing lines through security at the Senedd! Yet, these challenges did not stop us.
On the day of the installation, we displayed 80 beautifully stitched dusters across the Senedd floor. Initially, we were asked to move them, but we politely stood our ground. The impact was undeniable. Senedd staff and members expressed how the dusters touched them – not only through their words but through the stories they told visually.
The outcome? Just days later, the dusters were mentioned in a debate on carers’ services at the Senedd. This was a powerful validation of our work. We have even created short videos with Oxfam Cymru to document the day, sharing the dusters and their stories with an even wider audience.
What’s next?
Following the success of this collaboration, we secured additional funding from the University of Brighton, where Vanessa is Principal Lecturer. With this support, Vanessa and I have been interviewing many of the carers who participated in the project. These interviews will soon be turned into podcasts, further amplifying their voices.
Looking ahead, we are planning guided online art activities in the new year – a 12-week project designed to continue addressing the isolation carers experience. These sessions will give carers another chance to come together, share their stories, and contribute to a new collective art piece. This project will highlight the need for systemic change, focusing on the need for better recognition and support for carers in all aspects of their lives.
The project has also sparked discussions about expanding the initiative to other parts of the UK. Vanessa and I are exploring how to bring this project to England, with hopes of exhibiting the dusters in Westminster. With this, we aim to bring the voices of carers to the heart of UK politics, ensuring that their experiences are part of the national conversation about care work.
Starting conversations
Stitching a duster may seem like a small act, but it has opened doors for deeper conversations and greater recognition of carers’ experiences. The collaboration between Caring Craftivists and Domestic Dusters has made it clear that carers can no longer be left on the fringes of society, their voices drowned out by the demands of everyday life.
This project has proven that when carers are given the tools and the platform to speak, their voices are powerful enough to influence political debates and inspire change. What began as an Instagram connection has grown into a movement that is changing how we think about care work – one stitch at a time.
For more information about the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards 2025, visit the Awards’ dedicated website.
Vanessa Marr is the Founder of the Domestic Dusters project.
Email: [email protected]
X: @wearecarers
Katy Styles is the Founder of the We Care campaign.
Email: [email protected]