Meet Claire Sutcliffe-Campo, taking a unique Dressember approach

Raising awareness about human trafficking concerns while raising funds for The National Deaf Children's Society

I’m participating in Dressember to raise awareness about human trafficking through the lens of how the issue relates to art and mental health. I’m interviewing participants on the topic throughout the month. Learn more here.

Not interested? You can keep all other posts but opt out of Dressember posts here.

On the other hand, if you love this work, consider a paid subscription. I am donating ten percent of all December Substack income to Dressember. PLUS, for every five new annual subscriptions this month, I’m immediately subscribing to another Substacker to support other creatives writing about art and mental health.

Claire is participating differently this year in Dressember. Instead of raising money directly for the Dressember cause, she’s raising awareness about Dressember while raising money for The National Deaf Children's Society. Here she is:

What does Dressember mean to you? Why are you participating this year?

I am doing dressember this year to raise money for National Deaf Children’s Society. It means a lot for me to participate as the charity has helped my family over the last year coming to terms with my son being hard of hearing due to glue ear.

About The National Deaf Children's Society

We are the National Deaf Children’s Society, the leading charity for deaf children. We give expert support on childhood deafness, raise awareness and campaign for deaf children’s rights, so they have the same opportunities as everyone else.

Have you participated in the past? If so, what have the best parts and the most challenging parts been?

I have done dressmeber in the past. The part I find challenging is the fact I live in a cold country and struggle with raynauds syndrome which means I get bad circulation.

What does "mental health" mean to you? How does it relate to your own life and/or your understanding of the Dressember cause?

Mental health to me meaning being aware of emotions and thoughts. It relates as it shows that I’m taking care of my mind.

In what ways does Dressember allow you to express yourself creatively while raising awareness and funds?

It allows me to be creative with colour and clothing.

In what other ways do you think creativity and mental health intersect through the Dressember project?

If you are happy with what you wear then it boosts your mental health.

Learn more about how fashion can be good for your mental health - also called dopamine dressing or enclothed cognition.

What's another random thing we might be interested to know about you?

I’m vegetarian. I work for Lush and I volunteer at a primary school.

Connect with Claire on Instagram. Donate directly to Claire’s fundraiser here.

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