We are absolutely delighted to announce we’ve been working with NOW and Sheridan Smith to create five free sleep stories.
The five sleep stories are based on some of the landscapes of the nation’s favourite shows, from Game of Thrones and The Secret Garden to Premier league football – aiming to help Brits with their search for better sleep and some much needed escapism by taking the magic of the small screen into their dreams.
Research from streaming service NOW reveals that currently 2 in 5 Brits struggles with sleeplessness (41%). As lockdown eases, over half admit that anxiousness about restrictions lifting is adding to their sleep troubles (58%) and around one in three tired Brits are actively searching for ways to sleep more soundly (31%).
Factors keeping Brits awake at night include deliberating over when to socialise in big groups (26%), uncertainty about the rules (27%), and the stress of which six friends to invite to events (19%). In a bid to address these sleep issues, the average Brit has tried up to four new remedies over the last 12 months. Exploring calming bed-time stories (27%) and meditation (26%) were some of the most favoured methods, followed by switching up the side of the bed they sleep on (19%).
It was amazing for the charity to be involved with this project. We’ve seen a huge rise in children and adults reporting sleeping difficulties due to the challenging 12 months we’ve had but hopefully this will give people access to sleepy stories that will help them to relax before bedtime.
The five stories which will transport listeners to famed landscapes from their favourite content include:
A Walk Beyond the Wall, Inspired by Game of Thrones
Weary from a long day’s journey through the towering trees of the thickly wooded Tollymore Forest, we settle down at our camp for the night. Join us around the fire, as we transport you from the lush green landscapes of Northern Ireland right through to the natural glacial beauty of Iceland.
Discover the Magic of Oxford, Inspired by A Discovery of Witches
You don’t have to be a witch to see the magic in Oxford’s cobbled streets, join us as we peer up at gothic spires and rifle through the shelves and manuscripts housed in the Bodleian library.
Return to Home Turf, Inspired by Premier League Football
For more than 12 months our stadiums have been silent, but in this sleep story we take you back to the sights and sounds of the UKs football grounds. Join as we don our team colours, squeeze through the ticket turnstiles and hear the low, steady chant of football anthems with the scent of beef tea in the air.
Daydreaming in the Côte d’Azur, Inspired by Riviera
Escape to the sparkling sea of the Mediterranean. We indulge in the high life in this sleep story, lying on the bow of a luxury yacht, the sound of rigging gently clinking on the mast of a nearby sailboat beneath the clear blue sky. Without a care in the world, join as we bask in the paradise of this Riviera setting.
Into The Secret Garden, Inspired by The Secret Garden
A story for parents and children alike, transport yourself to the rolling Yorkshire Moors and the lush, verdant grounds of a country estate. Behind an ivy-clad wall we find a magical world, where well-loved rose bushes have been nurtured to produce the most beautiful blooms. Join us on this gentle stroll as we explore the landscapes and nature that surrounds us.