Funds exceeding £16,000 collected to address the shortage of appropriate sleeping accommodations for children
In a notable development, charity Zarach, housing providers Thirteen Group, and Yorkshire Housing have joined forces to address the pressing issue of bed poverty in England, particularly in the Tees Valley region.
Zarach, established in 2018, is a charity dedicated to ending bed poverty in England. Founded by Bex Wilson, a deputy headteacher, the charity works directly to ensure children do not have to go without a proper bed, tackling this specific form of poverty.
The partnership between these organisations aims to provide practical support such as "Bed Bundles"—essential items like beds and bedding—to children and families in need who cannot afford them. Thirteen Group, active in the Tees Valley and wider Northern England, supports this effort through financial means, granting £13,500 to Zarach specifically for addressing child bed poverty. This funding helps Zarach deliver their services locally, supporting households within Thirteen's communities.
Yorkshire Housing, while not detailed extensively in the results, fits into this collaborative approach where housing associations and charities pool resources and local knowledge to combat housing-related poverty issues, including bed poverty, by supplementing housing investments with social support initiatives.
Andy Peers, CEO of Zarach, has expressed gratitude for the support from Thirteen and Yorkshire Housing, stating it cements the connection between the charity and the social housing sector. Peers hopes that other social housing providers will be inspired by the difference this support makes to children living in their homes and join Zarach on its mission to end child bed poverty.
R-L Tim Jennett, Carolyn Handley, Jess Sandy, Ellie McGrath, and others are involved in Zarach's efforts. The charity's mission has found a warm reception at Yorkshire Housing, with Jay Jepson, Chair of Yorkshire Housing's Charity of the Year Committee, stating that Zarach was a perfect match for their fundraising partner due to its mission aligning closely with their vision to provide homes people are proud of.
The support from Thirteen and Yorkshire Housing enables Zarach to reach more vulnerable children, improving their chances of getting a good night's sleep consistently and engaging well at school. The grant from Thirteen has helped set up Zarach's new warehouse in Hartlepool and provide new bedding equipment.
Angela Corner, Head of Regeneration and Communities at Thirteen, commented on the partnership with Zarach, saying, "We are proud to support Zarach in their mission to end child bed poverty. Our grant will help ensure that more children in our communities have a comfortable and safe place to sleep."
This collaboration targets the direct needs of families struggling with bed poverty while integrating this support into broader housing and community improvement strategies in the Tees Valley and surrounding regions. Yorkshire Housing considers Zarach's mission to end child bed poverty as a fantastic cause that is close to their hearts.
- The collaboration between Zarach, Thirteen Group, and Yorkshire Housing not only provides essential items like beds and bedding to families in need, but also aims to integrate these support efforts into broader strategies for housing and community improvement in the Tees Valley and surrounding regions.
- Recognizing the importance of education and self-development, Zarach seeks to ensure that children in the Tees Valley region not only have a proper bed to sleep in, but also the opportunity to learn well at school with a good night's sleep, as they work towards ending child bed poverty in partnership with housing providers like Thirteen Group and Yorkshire Housing.
