Despite a great response when the Good Night Project was launched in the city in March, donations have unfortunately reduced to around only 1 to 2 a week, but demand for beds is still high.
The Good Night Project is just one of a number of initiatives the City of Wolverhampton Council has launched this year with partners to help combat awful situations some families have found themselves in during the cost of living crisis.
Wolves Foundation and African Caribbean Community Initiative (ACCI) joined the council to launch the Good Night Project to provide a dedicated service to provide beds and bedding to those that need them.
Since the project began in March it has received about 545 referrals for people needing a bed and delivered help to around 450 households to date.
There were more than 65 donations within just the first fortnight of launch, but this has tailed off as time has passed and there is now a real need again for all beds and in particular cots and cot beds/toddler beds.
The project is not able to accept used mattresses or bedding, but it can accept cash donations to it’s Just Giving page.
Just £4 will enable the Good Night Project to buy a pillow or fitted sheet to help a child or parent sleep comfortably.
Acting Leader of the council, Councillor Stephen Simkins said: “Times are hard for everyone right now and the cost of living crisis is affecting most of us to some degree, but it’s truly shocking that some children and their parents don’t even have a bed to sleep in at night.
“As a council we’re doing all we can with the help of our partners the Wolves Foundation and African Caribbean Community Initiative (ACCI) to combat this awful situation, but we need your help.
“If you have a bed you no longer use or which your child has grown out of then please think about donating it to this great cause.
“A good night’s sleep is essential to us all and something many of us take for granted. It’s a cornerstone of good health and one of the foundations upon which healthy, successful lives are built.
“Together we need to help ensure every child and indeed every person in the city can have a bed to call their own.”
Alicia Spence, of the African Caribbean Community Initiative, said it had been productive and rewarding working with the Wolves Foundation and the council over the last 6 months, but there was still much to be done.
“Together we have managed to meet the needs of hundreds of families and individuals in a very short space of time. It is incredible to see first hand how we can change the quality of a family’s life through the simple act of providing a bed, warm bedding or a new mattress.
“Demand for the service is not slowing down though and whilst we have had lots of kind donations of beds, cots, toddler beds and bunk beds we still need more. Please help us to continue to make a difference.”
Tom Warren, Senior Manager for Projects at the Foundation, said: “We are already seeing the vast impact of the Good Night Project on its beneficiaries.
“The cost of living crisis is affecting so many people in different ways and this partnership allows us to make a difference to those living in bed poverty.
“We're open and flexible to the ever changing needs of the city and our communities, working with our partners to tackle issues.”
Key facts
- The Good Night Project is a community led partnership aiming to reduce bed poverty and ensure everyone in Wolverhampton has a good night's sleep in a suitable bed.
- ‘Bed poverty’ is a term used to describe a situation where a person does not have access to a bed and a situation in which a household does not have enough income to afford necessary items.
- Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to health and wellbeing. It is as essential to our bodies as eating, drinking and breathing, and is vital for maintaining good mental and physical health. Sleeping helps to repair and restore our brains, not just our bodies. (Mental health.org.uk)
- Bed bases, mattresses and bedding are all items that will be given out by the project. Some items will be new, but some will be pre-loved items, which have been recycled and refurbished by ACCI.
Find out more, including how to apply and donate, by visiting our website The Good Night Project.
