Stories

The Children's Bed Charity | Maggie's Story

The Children's Bed Charity | Maggie's Story

Maggie and her 3 children moved in with their extended family due to financial struggles - 6 children and 4 adults sharing a small terraced home....

The Children's Bed Charity | Janette's Story

The Children's Bed Charity | Janette's Story

After the devastating loss of her 11-year-old son Louis, mum Lizzie faced immense grief and mental health challenges. Unable to cope, her children — Max, Freddie, Jasmine, Chloe, and Nell..

The Children's Bed Charity

Maggie and her 3 children moved in with their extended family due to financial struggles - 6 children and 4 adults sharing a small terraced home. Maggie's children were sleeping on a shared mattress which was having an effect on one child in particular, who is diagnosed with epilepsy.

When the home visit was made, it was clear that both families needed support, and another referral was made for the second family. Having 6 children and 4 adults sharing a home creates many issues around a positive sleeping environment, and aside of the lack of beds and bundle items, it was near impossible to ensure a bed time routine for any of the children.
Zarach has been able to provide bunkbeds for the children, to utilise the space while giving them a comfortable place to rest their head each night.

Having these essentials included in the bed bundle, removes many physical, cognitive and emotional barriers. You can feel the excitement in this six year old's voice is, and knowing he has a proper bed of his own is just one of the reasons the work we do is so valuable.

Look at my bunk bed!

 I sleep ALL night in my new bed -
thanks guys! Maggie's Son - age 6

The Children's Bed Charity

Following the devastating loss of her son, Louis, aged 11, mum Lizzie struggled with her grief and mental health issues leaving her unable to cope. Siblings Max, Freddie, Jasmine, Chloe and Nell moved to live with their grandparents. The children were sharing 2 single beds, and sleeping on blankets on the floor as Janette and Paul were unable to pay for new beds for all 5 children.

Knowing that the children had recently moved house, their school spoke with Janette to share the support that was available. Alongside behavioural support, the schools' Safeguarding Officer was able to make a referral for the family.
Our Family Engagement officer Katie visited the family, offering practical solutions to improve their sleep environment, and arranging the delivery of the new beds. Just a few days later, we delivered a single bed and a bunk bed along with duvets, pillows, bed sheets and new pyjamas.
During a follow up visit, the children showed Katie, with pride, where they were now sleeping, and that they were no longer on the floor.

"It's absolutely amazing, there was absolutely no judgement when the lady came out to view the bedrooms. It's made a big difference because they now have their own place to sleep and their own set bedtimes."
- Janette

In partnership with The Wakefield Children's Bed Appeal, Zarach have delivered 270 bed bundles to children in Wakefield, giving children the opportunity to engage at school and break the cycle of poverty. 270 children now have the sleeping arrangements that they need for this basic need to be met.

All names have been changed to protect anonymity.

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