A Bed of Their Own: Zarach’s Mission Featured in Our Latest Podcast Episode

Imagine not having a bed to sleep in. For many children in the UK, this is a heartbreaking reality. The charity Zarach is on a mission to change that. Founded six years ago by Bex Wilson, a deputy headteacher who saw the impact of bed poverty on her students, Zarach has already provided over 10,000 beds to children in need. But their work is far from over.

This winter, Zarach is aiming to deliver 1,000 beds to vulnerable children through their crowdfunding campaign. In the latest episode of Crowdfunder’s podcast, A Podcast on Purpose hosted by Philippa Forrester, we hear directly from Bex about how Zarach began and the incredible impact the charity has had. The episode also features insights from Crowdfunder CEO Simon Deverell on what makes this campaign so special.

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The Start of Zarach

Bex’s journey started in her classroom when she noticed one of her students struggling. “A little boy had a bad morning, and I just kept him behind at the end and said, ‘Don’t feel like you’ve been yourself today. Is there anything going on? Anything I can help with?’ He just looked at me and said really plainly and simply, ‘I’m always tired. I don’t have a bed,'” she shares on the podcast.

Realising the wider issue of bed poverty, Bex took action. “There just wasn’t anything I could access as a professional in this moment that would mean this little boy would have a bed… That moment changed so much of what happened in my life thereafter,” she explains.

The Crowdfunding Campaign

Zarach’s current campaign is an ambitious effort to provide 1,000 beds to children this winter, made possible by Crowdfunder’s platform and match funding from the Aviva Community Fund. “We now have £100,000 that we would not have had if we hadn’t had the match funding,” says Bex. “People see the match funding and know their donation is doubled. It’s been a brilliant way to raise support.”

Simon Deverell, Crowdfunder’s CEO, highlights the importance of this campaign: “Bex has established an amazing charity. She’s a teacher by day and a hero in the rest of her time. This campaign is happening live, and the momentum is extraordinary.”

A National Effort

From its beginnings in Leeds, Zarach has grown into a national movement. “We’ve seen the best of a community coming together that fully believes all children should have a bed to sleep in. We’re working with schools, third-sector organisations, and local authorities to make this a reality,” says Bex.

The campaign’s success has already inspired Zarach to think bigger. “This year, we’re aiming for an average of 100 beds a week, totalling 5,200 beds,” Bex shares. “We’ve even set our sights on eventually delivering 1,000 beds a week until we end this thing.”

Making an Impact

The impact of a bed goes far beyond a good night’s sleep. As Bex explains, “Sleep gives children the resilience they need when tackling learning in class. We’ve seen the difference in attendance, routines, and even parent-child relationships when families know their children have a safe, comfortable place to sleep.”

When asked by co-host Philippa Forrester what it is that makes people like Bex and projects like this so special, Simon responds, “There’s so much darkness, isn’t there? We all kind of get caught up in the negativity of the world, actually, because that’s the bit that gets shared often more unfortunately. But there’s a lot of amazing people and, you know, we have hundreds of them add their ideas and their challenges to Crowdfunder every day. And with them, they bring the supporters, the people that want to help make that happen.”

Listen and Support

To hear more about Zarach’s incredible story and their campaign, tune in to our latest podcast episode featuring Bex Wilson and Simon Deverell. Discover how this remarkable charity is making a tangible difference in the fight against child bed poverty. Find Podcast on Purpose at your favourite podcasting service below.

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Apple
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Audible
Deezer
Spotify

Want to help? Donate to Zarach’s campaign and double your impact through the Aviva Community Fund. Together, we can ensure every child has a bed to call their own.