Can you help kids affected by domestic abuse?

In 2018, the concept ‘Bobby Buddies’ was launched in Dorset. Since then, it’s gone from strength to strength, and they can now be found across the country.

Bobby Buddies are knitted/crocheted police bears. They are given by police to children who have fallen victim to incidents of domestic abuse. Sadly, a large number of children suffer in this way, but it’s been proven that these little bears really do help.

The bears have been shown to aid with comfort and reassurance for the children; the gift of the bear fundamentally also helps to breakdown any initial communication barriers between the police and the child. It’s a great way to ‘break the ice’.

When the concept was first introduced, volunteers from all over came forward to help make the bears. Police were inundated, with over 3000 made and delivered to stations. Now though, Hampshire Police have launched a fresh appeal for volunteers to make more bears.

Are you a keen knitter? Do you run or are you involved in any knitting groups? Can you help with the continued success of these bears?

If you can help by making one or more of these bears, they can be handed to any police station. It’s such a worthy cause, and we know it will be appreciated by vulnerable children. 

Here are a couple of links with the pattern for the bears. Even if you can’t directly help by knitting, please spread the word; everyone can do their bit.

Knitting – https://orlo.uk/fyGyp
Crochet – https://orlo.uk/eX8hN