In the second of our guest blog series, we are delighted to have Jessica Alexander, executive director from the National Bed Federation (NBF) talking about the relationship they have with the charity and why it’s important for them to support us.
Despite becoming The Sleep Charity’s official corporate donor back in 2020, the roots of the NBF’s relationship with the charity began over 25 years ago. Let’s take a trip down memory lane…
In 1995, the NBF founded and launched The Sleep Council, a not-for-profit organisation to promote the benefits of healthy sleep and to highlight the nation’s bed-buying habits (or lack of!). A key message at the time was that we should replace our beds and mattresses every ten years, which was far more frequent than the 20-year cycle that existed then. Today, with a greater understanding of health issues and the importance that a good bed plays in achieving a healthy night’s sleep and a healthy lifestyle, it is advised that mattresses should be replaced every seven to eight years.
Fast forward to July 2020 and having worked closely together for more than five years, The Sleep Council joined forces with The Sleep Charity. The NBF understood there was a need for dedicated expert advice on sleep that the charity could deliver. This meant the NBF’s new Bed Advice UK consumer arm could focus more on promoting the importance of having a good bed, how to go about choosing one and how to care for it.
The NBF continued its relationship with the charity as a corporate donor because it knows just how vital sleep is to our health and wellbeing and how important it is to educate the nation in an understandable and accessible way. The two organisations also participate in regular blog swaps (like this one!) and champion one another’s awareness campaigns, such as National Bed Month in March and Sleeptember in September.
The NBF is incredibly proud of all the achievements and accolades The Sleep Charity has achieved in the past year alone; proving just how valuable the services and support they offer to members of the public are. From attaining the Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service in 2020 to launching its Workplace Sleep Ambassador pilot scheme.
We look forward to seeing The Sleep Charity grow and develop further as they continue in their mission to support everyone in getting a good night’s sleep.