EVERY HEAD A BED

In a time when the cost of living is at the forefront of the news and impacting many people, it is reassuring to know that there are admirable organisations who are helping those most affected. Locally, there are various social enterprises who are supporting vulnerable people across Yorkshire, from the homeless to the elderly. One Leeds charity who focus on providing families with the essentials to survive are on a mission to leave no child without.

Founder Bex Wilson has spent 15 years teaching in Leeds - working her way from a two week trainee placement to now being Deputy Head Teacher at Shakespeare Primary School. Whilst on maternity leave with her first baby girl, she spoke to us about the altruism of Zarach and the ambition of their Every Head a Bed project.

The inspiration that sparked Zarach was a simple and revealing conversation, which Bex explains; “In 2017 a little boy I was teaching told me he didn’t have a bed. He was sharing a sofa cushion on the floor with his two siblings. His mum was a victim of crime and as a result had to move to an unfurnished house and couldn’t afford any beds.”

“After trying to source some help through our pastoral support network it became clear that whilst there was good provision for food and other help, there was no referral I could make that would mean these children could have a bed. With the permission of my head teacher, my dad and I went and bought 3 beds and delivered them to the family. A number of weeks later the mum tried to pay me back for the beds and asked me to use the money to buy beds for other families who find themselves in situations like her. After a bit of a delay due to feeling ill-equipped, Zarach was born!”

With a pure passion to make life better for these children and their families, and having discovered a gap in the support available, Bex began her pursuit to provide beds - and was met with immediate challenges; “When I first started Zarach, I wondered why no one else had set up a bed poverty charity. Well, soon found out! Beds are large to store and difficult to transport. Also, due to hygiene issues, you can’t give away secondhand mattresses which makes it expensive.” She persevered and each success story has extended the vision to help children not only survive but also thrive - encapsulated by Zarach’s Every Head a Bed scheme.

“Every Head a Bed is one of our 5 projects and is our commitment to help ensure all children have somewhere safe and comfortable to sleep with consistent access to nutritious food in order for them to succeed at school. We work with schools to deliver bed bundles and other basics to children living without.”

“Zarach believes that well rested and well-fed children are increasingly ready to learn. Engaging in education gives children the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty, help their families out of crisis and improve the breadth of opportunities available to their future selves.”

Locally, the response has been heartwarming, with folk from differing sectors all joining in; “The people of Leeds are incredible!” Bex enthuses. “We’ve had amazing support from schools, businesses and families meaning we’ve been able to deliver over 3000 bed bundles to children in Leeds. The smiles on the faces of children we deliver beds to speak volumes and our inbox is regularly filled with lovely feedback from the schools we work with.”

Whilst the short term action is essential, it is the wider and longer aims that Bex is aware will have the vital impact. “This is about more than just a bed - we are here to bring lasting and positive change to those children growing up in the grips of poverty through bed bundle deliveries, tailored support packages, raising awareness, advocating policy change and by galvanising people and resources across the UK.”

This has already developed beyond Leeds and into other areas hoping to replicate their support there; “The benefits of the work Zarach does is far reaching. Now we’re working to eradicate bed poverty throughout the country through our hubs in Romford, Dewsbury, Calderdale, Stockport and Huddersfield.” And Bex is keen for this to expand further; “We are seeking partnership organisations up and down the country to collaborate with in planting new hubs.”

Since the idea for Zarach was first conceived, much has changed in the world, and the need for it has become more stark for many, including Bex; “The pandemic taught us that we are all only one bad day away from needing the kind of support that Zarach offers. We work with families experiencing domestic abuse, emergency house moves, bereavement and the list goes on.”

“Over the last four years I’ve held on to three things: 1Bed poverty exists everywhere. 2 - Bed poverty is limiting the educational potential of thousands of children in the UK. 3 - If enough people hear about the prevalence of bed poverty together we will be able to ensure those in power have to act.”

These realisations have magnified Bex’s vision and elevated Zarach’s ambition, as she concludes; “This year at Zarach we are working towards making Leeds the first bed poverty free city. We believe together, we can end bed poverty.”

You can get involved with Zarach by volunteering time, purchasing items from their wishlist or raising funds. To find out more visit zarach.org or email info@zarach.org