Sleep Poverty

Time To Tackle Sleep Poverty

In the wake of growing concerns around sleep health, we are running a pilot programme to tackle ‘Sleep Poverty’ in South Yorkshire, thanks to initial funding from CareTech Foundation.

Not only is it important to highlight issues around bed poverty but we also believe that everyone deserves access to other essential products that help them to achieve a better night’s sleep.

More than 22% of the UK’s population is living in poverty [1], with reports showing that 30% of families [2] are impacted by bed poverty, so we will be looking to expand this programme nationally.

More and more families are feeling the strain, with the cost-of-living crisis a heavy burden on many. We hope that through this programme we can support families here in South Yorkshire and further afield as well as helping others to spot the signs of sleep poverty and support people to access help.

[1] Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2022 UK Poverty Report
[2] https://m.facebook.com/watch/?v=385799040226118&paipv=0&eav=AfZ9cESA3TUf16eebPJIeUF3XIhoMMCPrCyVtfSOipckuqo1WmD6fothlc25FJdTzAQ&_rdr

How you can help

Together we can make a difference and help end Sleep Poverty. We are calling for organisations to donate new items to support those in need this winter including:

Mattresses
Pillows
Blankets
Nightwear
Curtains and blackout blinds
Grow bags for babies
Hot water bottles
And this list goes on!

*Must be able to deliver a designated warehouse in South Yorkshire

If you can help or you’d like to know more about getting involved in helping more people to get the sleep they need, please email sleeppoverty@thesleepcharity.org.uk.

For those in need

If you are supporting or working with those in South Yorkshire who are in need of the basic resources to help them to sleep at night, please complete the referral form (link below) with as much information as possible so we can help them access the items they need.

We are covering babies right through to older adults and can help with a variety of items such as beds, pillows, baby sleeping bags and hot water bottles.

Professionals need to make the referral – whether you’re from a school setting, health sector or local authority. All referrals are subject to items available and therefore we cannot guarantee that all referrals will be successful.

Video

We are delighted that Stephanie Hirst has joined an ambassador of our Sleep Poverty campaign. With over 15 awards and 11 years of hosting the biggest breakfast show outside of London, Stephanie is one of the UK’s biggest radio stars. She has also presented for BBC Breakfast, ITV’s Lorraine and is regularly seen on C5’s The Jeremy Vine Show. She’s written for The Independent, The Telegraph and The Huffington Post.

I am proud to be involved in this project and hope that I can use my platform to shine a light on the issue of sleep poverty. Sleep is so important and poor sleep can be harmful to our health, wellbeing, productivity and mood. People need help now, especially as we head into colder weather conditions coupled with the current economic crisis. I urge anyone who can provide support, or help to spread our message, to get involved.