Zarach

Who we are

Our Mission

Our mission is to end child bed poverty, helping children get a good night's sleep, and the chance to thrive at school.
 

Our Values

• Collaborative
• Open
• Respectful
• Aspirational

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

I’m a Deputy Head Teacher at an inner-city Primary School in Leeds. In 2017, whilst teaching an 11-year old boy, I noticed he wasn’t his usual happy self so I asked if he was feeling tired. His response and that moment, not that I knew it at the time, were to change both my life and his. ‘Miss, I am always tired. I don’t have a bed.’

After speaking with mum it became clear that the family had experienced a crisis resulting in an unplanned house move to an unfurnished home. The three children shared a bed bug infested old sofa cushion to sleep on. They were covered in sores. Mum felt like she had no hope and nowhere to turn. Despite working in a city with lots of brilliant community organisations, I discovered there wasn’t any help available to get the children beds.

I realised I had a choice; to be satisfied with trying to meet his needs within the classroom because that is what I’m paid to do, or to continue to be the best teacher I can be whilst using my time and influence to make sure every child in our city (and now beyond) has their basic needs met. If a child sleeps and eats well they learn better. Fact. Education is the key to breaking the poverty cycle. It’s time we even out the playing field.

Bex Wilson, Founder and Chair of Trustees