Frequently Asked Questions

The Zarach Model

1. What does Zarach do?

• Zarach provides beds, bedding, and essential resources to children living in poverty, ensuring they get a good night’s sleep and the best chance to thrive at school and beyond.

2. How can I refer a child for support?

• We work through schools to identify children in need. If you’re a teacher or school staff member and know a child who could benefit from our help, please visit our Referrals page for more details on how to apply.

3. Where does Zarach operate?

• We started in Leeds but have expanded to other areas with high levels of child poverty. Find out more about the regions we accept referrals from here.

How can I help Zarach’s mission?

1. Can I volunteer?

• We rely on the amazing dedication of volunteers in so many areas; in the warehouse, delivering beds, speaking out on our behalf, supporting families etc. If you are passionate about using your skills to end child bed poverty, please email volunteer@zarach.org

2. How else can I support Zarach?

• Aside from donating, you can support us by fundraising, spreading the word, or partnering with us through your business, school, or community group. Check our Support Us page for ideas!

The Bed Bundle

1. Can I give you my second-hand bed?

• All items that we deliver to families are brand new. This is so that we can guarantee safety regulations, quality and longevity. Each bed should provide a child with at least 8 years of good sleep.

2. Can I donate bedding products?

• Thank you so much for wanting to support the basic needs of the families we support. Due to the kindness of some incredible suppliers, we can often buy products at a discounted price. We’d love you to donate the money you might have spent on products directly to Zarach, then we can guarantee the impact of that donation will be doubled, sometimes even tripled and we can claim Gift Aid!

Fundraising & Donations

1. How can I fundraise for Zarach?

• There are lots of ways to fundraise! You can take on a sponsored challenge, host a bake sale, organise a charity event, or even set up a JustGiving page to collect donations. Check out our Fundraising page for ideas and resources to get started.

2. Can I set up a JustGiving page for Zarach?

• Yes! JustGiving is a great way to raise funds for Zarach. Simply visit JustGiving.com, search for Zarach, and follow the steps to create your fundraising page. Share it with family and friends to help spread the word!

3. How do I donate to Zarach?

• You can donate securely through our Donate page, where you can choose a one-off or monthly donation. We also accept donations via JustGiving and other fundraising platforms.

4. Can I set up a regular donation?

• Yes! Regular donations help us plan ahead and support more families. You can set up a monthly donation on our Donate page.

5. Can I donate in someone else’s name?

• Absolutely. Whether it’s a gift donation or in memory of a loved one, you can dedicate your donation and we can send a thank-you note on your behalf.

6. How do I get my workplace, school, or community group involved?

• We’d love to work with you! Whether it’s a corporate partnership, a school fundraiser, or a community event, there are many ways to support Zarach. Visit our Support Us page to learn more.

Our Support

1. What are the signs of bed poverty?

Bed poverty in children can present as:

• Fatigue and lack of energy: Persistent tiredness that affects participation in class.
• Difficulty concentrating: Sleep deprivation may lead to challenges in focusing, retaining information, or staying engaged in lessons.
• Frequent absenteeism or tardiness: Struggling to get enough rest may result in inconsistent school attendance.
• Lower academic performance: Poor sleep impacts learning, leading to reduced test scores and slower progress.
• Emotional and behavioural changes: Stress from inadequate sleep may cause irritability, aggression, or withdrawal.
• Visible physical signs: Dark circles, drowsiness, or even falling asleep during class.

2. How does a family qualify?

Families must meet the following criteria:

• Have a child aged reception to 18 attending a local authority school in an area where Zarach operates.
• Be identified as low-income or receiving benefits, where a bed is considered a luxury item.

3. Who can make a referral?

Referrals must come from schools where Zarach services are established.

• Teachers and pastoral staff play a key role in identifying bed poverty.
• Referrals help Zarach gather data to demonstrate the programme’s impact and secure future funding.
• Should a local agency make contact with school about a child living in bed poverty who is on roll at their school, please help by making the referral once the school has completed their own in-house procedures.

Schools act as a safeguarding link, so referrals are only accepted from recognised local authority schools in Zarach-supported areas. Updates on new hubs across England are available on our website.

4. What information is required for a referral?

Accurate details ensure faster assistance. When submitting a referral, please provide:

• Clear and correct family information.
• Confirmation of the child’s need and eligibility.

5. What types of beds does Zarach provide?

Zarach provides:

• Single beds.
• Wooden beds for children above 2 years old.
• Bunk beds for children over a specified ag, 4 years plus for lower bunk and 6 years plus for top bunk
• Anyone below the age of 2 we will endeavor to make a referral to a local baby bank

We do not provide double beds, trundles, cabin beds, or adult mattresses.

6. Can a referral be declined or placed on hold?

Yes, referrals may be declined if:

• The family has already secured beds.
• The child is not school-aged (4–18) or not enrolled in a Zarach-supported school.
• Incorrect information is provided.
• A previous referral does not meet criteria for a new one.
• The family has not yet moved to their permanent home.
• Multiple contact attempts (three or more) with the family have been unsuccessful.
• The referral is for an adult instead of a child (alternative resources will be provided in such cases).

7. Can a referral be declined or placed on hold?

You can support Zarach’s mission by:

• Raise awareness with students that our service exists through assemblies – please email referrals@zarach.org for our template
• Raise awareness with families by placing a section around Zarach in your newsletter and where to come to for confidential advice and referral within school.
• Following us on social media and sharing our updates.
• Organising or participating in fundraising events.
• Volunteering with Zarach in various capacities.
• Completing exit surveys to help us demonstrate impact for future funding.

8. Can a referral be declined or placed on hold?

Organising the Home Visit:

• During the initial call, the Family Engagement Team will schedule a home visit to the address where the beds are intended to be placed.

Purpose of the Home Visit:

• During the home visit, we aim to listen non-judgmentally to the family’s needs, focusing on the sleep environment for all children in the household aged 2-18 years old.
• It’s important to note that, although schools may only mention one child, our service extends to all children living at the same address.

Our Approach:

• The team is skilled in actively listening to families in a non-judgemental manner.
• We assess which of our beds will best suit their living arrangements.
• We offer advice if there are concerns about overcrowding.
• We measure areas and discuss any additional support we may be able to provide to the family.