Zarach

We deliver beds and basics to children that live in poverty.

Main Content

We’re on a mission to end child bed poverty in England

Giving children the opportunity to engage at school and a chance to break the future cycle of Poverty.

Donate Now

With 4.3 million* children in the UK living in poverty, we need to act now.

Beds have become a luxury item for hundreds of thousands of families, who face the devastating decision to pay for food and fuel, or to buy their child a bed. *End Child Poverty Coalition - (Zarach is a member of this movement)

Bed poverty exists when a family doesn’t have the sleeping arrangements they need for their children due to a lack of financial resources*. For children in this situation, it has a significant impact on their education. Zarach’s mission to ensure that every child in England has a bed of their own gives them a greater chance to learn and succeed at school.

*Barnados ‘No crib for a bed’ report

Partnering with Schools to give Every Head a Bed.

Supporting families to ensure a good sleeping arrangement for years to come.

Zarach is a national charity committed to helping vulnerable children and families living in poverty. We work closely with schools and professionals in the community. We see the challenges of poverty every day. We aim to reach out to families within 48 hours of their school referral. We are passionate and driven to make an immediate and real difference to a child’s life.

At the point of delivering beds and bundles to children, we are helping to lift them out of bed poverty in that instant. This incredible act removes a mountain of cost for a family and can last for many years. A bed provided to a child as they start school could last them their whole primary school journey. This massively improves their opportunity to engage at school and supports their physical, emotional, and learning development.

“Every day I see the effects of children living in poverty.”

I’m an Assistant Head Teacher at an inner-city Primary School in Leeds. After a decade in the job, hungry children, poor living conditions and social care referrals has sadly become the norm. Children being hungry or not having a bed is unacceptable. We are better than this!

Whilst teaching an 11-year old boy, I noticed he was scratching his tummy. He told me he and his younger brother shared a cushion to sleep on. A cushion that had bed bugs which made his tummy itchy.

At the time I was in the middle of teaching a lesson on irregular tense verbs. I realised I had a choice; to be satisfied that I’m teaching him grammar because it’s what I’m paid to do, or to continue to be the best teacher I can be whilst also using my time and influence to make sure every child in England has their basic needs met, gets a good night’s sleep and an equal opportunity to get the best education at school.

Bex Wilson, Founder & Chair of Trustees.

referral

Referral

We receive referrals through our through our network of local schools.

A short referral form is sent via email that will include permission from the parent/guardian.

deliver

Delivery

Within 7 days, we contact the family, prepare a Bed Bundle; which is delivered by our experienced team.

Understanding the needs of the children we are supporting, lifting them out of bed poverty involves providing them with a range of the following products: bed frames, mattresses, pillows, duvets, bed clothing, and pyjamas.

support

Family Engagement Team

Once contact is made with a family in crisis, our team assesses the best ways to support them further.

As a friendly-face, we can mediate between families and other support services, as well as making referrals.