CALL US
03303 530 541
Speak to trained sleep advisors
Available Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 7pm-9pm
Mondays, Wednesdays 9 -11am
*excluding Bank Holidays
This is a confidential service. We would only need to share what you tell us if we are worried about you, someone else or there has been a crime.
This activity has been supported by a financial grant from Idorsia Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, a pharmaceutical company.
Who do I talk to if I can’t sleep? The National Sleep Helpline can help with your sleep problems.
If you’d like to talk about your sleep, you can call us on 03303 530 541 between 9am and 11am on Mondays and Wednesdays and between 7pm and 9pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Do you struggle to fall asleep? Do you feel tired? Do you have a child who won’t sleep in their own bed?
Having a sleep issue is surprisingly common. At any given time up to 40% of adults and 50% of children (this rises to 80% with a SEND diagnosis) have difficulties with their sleep. Yet in a recent survey, almost 60% of adults felt there was a lack of support for sleep issues. Sleep problems can leave people feeling isolated and lonely.
Our helpline is run by a team of specialist trained sleep advisors. Although we cannot give medical advice, we can talk through your issues, offer you some practical strategies and recommend services that could help.
Sleep education is empowering – you can understand why you might not be sleeping well and how that can change. We promise to listen without judgement and help you decide what next steps are right for you.
If you are looking for advice and support and the helpline isn’t open, please visit our Information and Support pages or our list of helpful organisations.
She was brilliant though and gave the magic advice needed in that short session. I didn’t need a follow up call. I honestly cannot thank your charity enough. Our bedtime is so much calmer and enjoyable and my stress levels are returning to normal levels after five very difficult years of sleep deprivation.
Still a way to go for me but feeling like a human being again. She was so kind and encouraging and gave me reassurance that I had been doing things right but that Sarah* maybe needed less sleep than we thought she did. Turns out she was spot on! Thank you so much!
*name changed
Who do we support on the helpline?
- Adults
- Parents of children 12 month upwards
- Young People
- Healthcare professionals
- Shift workers
What we can help with
Our trained sleep advisors can help with lots of queries and concerns about your sleep including:
- Struggling to fall asleep, staying asleep or waking too early
- Sleep hygiene guidelines
- Anxiety and stress at bedtime
- Children’s sleep issues
- Teen sleep problems
What we can’t help with
We are not medical professionals so unfortunately can’t advise on the following:
- Sleep disorders such as chronic insomnia, sleep walking
- Underlying medical issues
- Mental health problems
- Suicidal thoughts
- 0-12 month old sleep – please contact either
Cry-sis Infant Sleep or Action for Children
Please note:
The National Sleep Helpline is NOT a crisis service. If you need urgent crisis support, please contact NHS 111, your own GP, Samarians on 116 123 or go to your local A&E department if you require emergency support.
We are not open on Bank Holidays.
FAQs
Is the helpline a premium rate?
No. You will be charged at your standard network rate.
When are you open?
We are open between 7pm and 9pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and between 9am and 11am on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Is the service confidential?
How quickly do you answer?
As this is a new service, we are still finding our feet but we aim for everyone to get through to someone as soon as possible. It depends on the number of calls that we have coming through at that time.
What can I speak to you about?
You can talk to us about your (or a family members) sleeping difficulties no matter how big or small. We are not medical experts though and if we think there may signs of a sleep disorder or underlying health conditions we will signpost you to relevant organisations who can help you further. If you need medical advice, please contact your GP.
Having problems phoning?
Please send an email to helpline@thesleepcharity.org.uk
Do you have a safeguarding policy?
The Helpline Team
Brian Marshall - Head of Sleep Support
- Oversees the charity’ sleep support services
- Understanding around NHS sleep services
- Children’s sleep practitioner
Amanda Bland
- Parent carer of an adult son living with Autism.
- 20 years of experience in SEND & Sensory issues
- Trained Sleep Practitioner & trainer (4 years)
- Facilitator of several family support programs that specialise in early intervention for children with learning disabilities & or autism covering Challenging behaviour, communication, sleep, interaction & learning styles.
Jean Brown
- 25 years working with children and families
- Sleep trained for approximately 6 years
- Currently working as a sleep practitioner with families.
Denise Deakin
- 30 years of experience working in various settings supporting disabled children and their families.
- 15 years of experience as a trained sleep practitioner.
- I’m an active listener who’s keen to help & have had many successes helping to improve the quality of sleep for young people and their parents!
Jill Greenwood
- 25yrs+ experience of working with early years and primary age children (2yrs +) and their families, including children with SEN.
- Sleep trained 7 years ago
- I also have personal experience and a particular interest in supporting women with sleep issues during the menopause/ peri menopause.
- I love to use knowledge I have gained through being part of a network of complementary therapists and having access to a wide variety of wellbeing CPD opportunities
Renee Learner
- Trained with newborns/babies, children and teenagers
- Reflux
- Allergies including CMPA
- ADHD
Joseph Pannel
- I am a former chronic insomniac of 20 years.
- I’ve published two books on insomnia and been featured in the national press and Authority magazine.
- Currently provide 1 -1 sleep consultancy with a specialism in adult insomnia.
Helen Jones
- Educational Psychologist with a special interest in sleep.
- Trained as an Advanced Paediatric Sleep Practitioner
- Professional experience with neurodiversity, trauma, anxiety, complex SEND in children and young people
- Personal interest in adult sleep
Sally Anysz
- Advanced baby and toddler sleep consultant and Occupational Therapist specialising in chronic pain
- Passionate about helping people achieve good quality sleep
- Sleep is a biological necessity; we all need it. I want to empower my clients to have the confidence to improve their own sleep, shape their child’s sleep and no longer endure endless nights of sleep deprivation.
Julie Marfleet
- 25+ years working with children, young people and families in various roles including baby massage instructor, young peoples advocate and SEND personal assistant
- Trained and experienced Sleep Practitioner
- Wanting to spread the word of the importance of sleep
Adele Normington
- Over 20 years experience in Psychology, Education and Mental Health
- Children and young people
- Mental Health and Wellbeing.
- 1:1Low intensity, CBt informed interventions and group work, along with staff training and whole school support.
Kate Crawshaw
- Residential Practitioner working with looked after children aged 8-16 years old
- Personal experience of sleep issues experienced by my four daughters.
- Trained Sleep Practitioner
- Specialisms include: ADHD & FASD
Anna Lowe
- Over 20 years experience supporting families in a variety of settings.
- Children with complex medical needs and genetic syndromes
- Children with Autism
- One to one sleep assessment and behavioural work for a children’s therapy clinic
Signs of Sleep Deprivation
Just one night of interrupted sleep negatively affects mood, attention span and cognitive ability.
Teen Sleep Hub
Our new Teen Sleep Hub is aimed at teenagers who want to know more about their sleep.
How You Can Help
We couldn’t continue to offer help and support to the people we do without the generous donations from our supporters.
Stay in touch
Sign up to our mailing list to keep in touch with our latest news, events and developments as well as regular sleep advice and how you can get involved with us on our awareness campaigns. We will never share your data with anyone else.