We are set to get the nation chatting about sleep with the launch of our new Sleep Talkers wellbeing scheme.
The brand-new service, funded by the National Lottery, is a two-year project aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of the general public by providing community-based sleep intervention, delivered by trained sleep volunteers.
We estimate that on average each person trained will support five Sleep Talkers who will, in turn support three people to improve their sleep during the project.
The new ‘Sleep Talkers’ will share information and guidance about how to spot the signs of sleep difficulties and provide early intervention support in the heart of communities on a national level. Other key goals include reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation, improving mental wellbeing and growing the network of Sleep Talker volunteers, as well as those who can access support through the project.
The funding from The National Lottery will help to make a difference to so many lives across the nation and we would be unable to reach those numbers without their support. Throughout the pandemic, feelings of loneliness and anxiety have sky-rocketed, and these are common factors that hinder a good night’s sleep
Whilst the initial focus will be the SEND community, the charity will be broadening its support to include other key communities such as older adults and ethnic minorities over the next 12 months.
The project will also be evaluated by Dr Simon Durrant, Director of the Lincoln Sleep Research Centre and Director of Research in the School of Psychology at the University of Lincoln, to provide an evidence base which will enable the service to grow in scale over the next two years, reaching people across the UK in a wide range of communities.