We all know the importance of getting a good night’s sleep. It is vital for the proper functioning of our physical and mental health. When we are tired, we cannot fully participate in work or school, we struggle to socialise, and we are not ourselves. Over a million people in the UK are living without a safe space to sleep – and the majority of these are children.
“They obviously don’t invite their friends around. It’s not a normal childhood for them. You know, they feel that it’s embarrassing for them. Yeah, it’s hard for them to understand why we don’t have these things.” – Maisie, whose children do not have a bed.
At least 340,000 adults do not have a bed to sleep in, with over 37% of these living in social housing, and at least 740,000 children in the UK do not have a bed of their own, forcing many to share with their parents or siblings, sleep on air beds or sofas – or sleep on the floor. That means nearly ¾ million children might be starting the school day already at a disadvantage having not had a proper night’s sleep.
“Think about your childhood bed – a place of dreaming, hiding, cuddles and of course sleep. A place of safety. Maybe you shared it with a soft toy or a sibling. Maybe you decorated the headboard with football stickers.
“Now imagine you never had a bed to call your own. Nowhere to dream, to cuddle, to curl up in safety, to sleep.
“That’s the reality for thousands of children. Everyone has the right to a good night’s sleep. No child can thrive without it.
“We want every child to have a bed of their own. It’s not much to ask. It’s everything to our children.” – Author Frank Cottrell-Boyce, at the launch of Time for Bed
Sleep deprivation can lead to a range of health problems, including heart and kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, strokes, obesity and depression. All terrible for the individuals concerned, but also putting even greater pressure on the NHS and across the public purse.
