Aviva Community Fund is providing live match funding
Zarach - Christmas Appeal
by Angus Martin in Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Total raised £80,368
+ est. £8195.50
£100,000 stretch target
21 days left
160%
605 supporters
Your donation will release extra funding
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 31st December 2024 at 12:00pm
Zarach is aiming to provide 1000 beds to children affected by bed poverty this Christmas - we need your help to make this happen.
by Angus Martin in Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
New stretch target
All money raised will go to directly to delivering more bed bundles to move more children and families out of bed poverty
Zarach is a charity on a mission to end child bed poverty in England. We provide bed bundles (bed frame, mattress, pillow, duvet, bedding, and PJs—all new) to disadvantaged children so they have the opportunity to engage at school and a chance to break the future cycle of poverty.
Our vision is to partner with schools to give every head a bed, supporting families to make every house a home. Our story started in Leeds; however, in response to wider community needs, we are now active nationally, working to support highly disadvantaged families throughout England.
The Importance of a Safe Sleep Environment
Having a bed and a safe place to sleep at night is a basic necessity; however, too many children don’t have this, resulting in poor mental health, fatigue that hinders their ability to function properly at school, and a lack of achievement in their potential. Our bed bundles give these children the opportunity to thrive and have a level playing field.
Our Impact
Providing bed bundles to disadvantaged children gives them a better opportunity to engage at school and a chance to break the future cycle of poverty.
We are in the early stages of analysing the wider impact of our work on the child itself, as well as on the wider family, and are starting to collaborate with local universities to design a suitable impact measurement framework. However, we already know that providing bed bundles can and does support the following outcomes:
- Improved school attendance
- Improved school attainment
- Improved physical health and wellbeing
- Improved mental health and wellbeing
- Reduced stigma and isolation
There are also wider benefits for the family as a whole in terms of parents also benefiting from improved sleep and mental wellbeing.
The Role of Sleep in Wellbeing
Sleep deprivation plays a huge role in mental wellbeing at all ages, but especially for children. Poor sleep is a major risk factor for all mental health problems. By supporting children to have a better night's sleep, we are establishing routines that will have a positive impact throughout their lives.
How You Can Help
Any support you can provide will go directly to helping one of the 900,000 children living in bed poverty across England. Together, we can give them somewhere to sleep and an equal opportunity to learn!