Zarach: Help tackle bed poverty across the North
Charity Zarach share more about the work they do to make sure every child has a bed to sleep in and how you can get involved.
What is Zarach?
Zarach is a charity set up by Deputy Headteacher Bex Wilson when she discovered one of her pupils didn’t have a bed and was sleeping on an uncarpeted floor on a cushion infested with bed bugs. We partner with schools to identify children experiencing #BedPoverty. When they are referred to us we provide a brand new bed, mattress, bedding and pyjamas.
What is bed poverty?
Bed Poverty is defined in the Barnardo’s report ‘No Crib for a Bed’ as not having the sleeping arrangements they require due to a lack of financial resources. The report estimates there are 900,000 children in the UK affected by this shocking issue. We want to change the narrative and ensure no child is too tired to get the most out of their time in the classroom.
How can Northern Housing Consortium and Zarach work together to support children & families?
Many of the families we support either live in social housing or in private rented accommodation. We hope to support the families your members work with and in turn hope that you may be able to support us to continue offering our vital service.
What does Zarach offer?
– We currently operate in West Yorkshire (apart from Wakefield – yet), Romford, Stockport, Liverpool (Liverpool City Local Authority only), Stoke & the Tees Valley (currently only Hartlepool & Stockton)
If you have housing stock in this area, families in these homes can be referred by the child’s school for support with beds & bedding. Please email referrals@zarach.org if you would like any further information on referring families in these areas.
How could you support Zarach?
Zarach would love to serve more areas in the North, however, we need to ensure we have the resources required to do so. There are several ways you can support Zarach:
🧡 Follow us across all our socials to allow us to increase our profile in the region. Our handle across Facebook / Instagram / X / LinkedIn is @ZarachCharity.
🧡 Consider fundraising for Zarach – if this is something you are interested in please email fundraising@zarach.org for support & further information.
🧡 Could your organisation support Zarach as part of your Corporate Social Responsibility. If so please email jess@zarach.org
🧡 Give a one-off or regular donation – www.zarach.org/donate
Thanks in anticipation of your help to change the narrative for children throughout the North.
