Charity Focus

Comfort and Joy

The Sleepwell Project provides mattresses to those in need

Back in early 2019, Devon photographer Tommy Hatwell was in the Ugandan capital Kampala where he was meeting a group who were using yoga and street dance to boost well-being among the locals.

Taking in his slum surroundings, Tommy was deeply struck by one thing.

‘I noticed lots of very unappealing chunks of foam as I moved around. Apparently, these were mattresses, but I found it hard to imagine having to sleep on these for a night, let alone every night, before getting up and being inspired or energised to go to work or school.’

Tommy’s initial aim to buy a few mattresses to use as a colourful backdrop to photograph some of the residents - and then gift them the mattresses - quickly snowballed and became a full-on charitable endeavour: The Sleepwell Project.

Just one year later, Tommy delivered 60 mattresses, 45 treated mosquito nets, bedsheets and blankets to 60 families in the run-down neighbourhood.

‘These are people who are struggling to feed their kids and keep their families healthy. The bits of foam they use as mattresses are often full filthy and full of bugs, yet might have six people lain across them.

‘A new mattress - literally something clean and decent to sleep on - is a luxury they simply can’t afford. But most of us take having a proper proper place lay our heads at night for granted.’

This month, Tommy’s going back. But this time he’s taking six guys, aged between 19 and 30, who work at Adventure Okehampton (where Tommy himself is a freelance kayaking instructor) to deliver even more mattresses not only to Kampala but also to a remote village.

And the more help and support they can get, the more decent nights’ sleep they can provide.

‘It’s important to know that full amount of every donation goes directly into buying and distributing the mattresses - the money isn’t used for wages or marketing. We’ve all paid for our own flights.’

But for Tommy The Sleepwell Project is about far more than just mattresses. It’s about communities and bringing them together from different corners of the world. of the primary schools in Uganda with the pupils of Warbstow Primary school in Launceston. They’re writing to each other; exchanging photos; learning about each other’s lives.

‘I’ve built up some amazing friendships in Uganda, and want to help wherever I can. Photography is a great way of breaking down barriers. I’ve travelled all over the globe with my camera - it’s opened up the world for me. When you photograph people, you interact with them in a certain way. You gain their trust. After all, the whole Sleepwell Project started off with a photo shoot.

‘Now the local boys I met back then are a central part of the team. Their involvement empowers them, which in turn continues to empower their community. Not only do they sort all the logistics, but they’ve also learned to use cameras to document it all. And they and their families are going to host us on this trip.’

Which will no doubt be a completely new experience for the lads from Adventure Okehampton.

‘I can wait for them to see what it’s like there; how kind and generous the people are, even when they have so little. We’ll be bringing a bit of our world to Uganda; but we’ll be taking a lot of theirs home too; and sharing it with the wider world.’

For more information and details on how you can help visit: thinkpeoplethinkstory.com Adventure Okehampton’s Joe Duffy, 19, is one of the Uganda team!

“I’ve only ever been abroad a couple of times, like Spain on holiday. So for me the trip to Uganda feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity - especially for someone of my age.

Tommy’s started talking about his plans at the beginning of the year. He showed us photos and videos of the time he’s spent out Uganda. They looked amazing. So when he said he’d like to organise for a group of us from Adventure Okehampton to go with him to help with The Sleepwell Project, I jumped at it.

To be honest I never thought about mattresses being something people needed donated. Usually it’s things to do with food, water, medicine or education. Now it seems so obvious how important a good night’s sleep is for everyone, whoever they are and wherever they live.

I can’t wait to be out there really helping out with the project and doing the charity work. But I’m also really keen on football and want to play with the local lads. It’s a great way, not just to have fun but too bring people together, getting to know each other with a kind of team spirit.”

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