Membership Spotlight highlights the work of our member organisations and outlines how other individuals and NGOs can support them. We are shining a light on one of our newest members Sleep Action, a division of Capella Charity. It’s a new month, welcome October, take some time to learn from them on the run up to #WorldMentalHealthDay!

Tell us about the work of your organisation in Scotland

Sleep Action, a division of Capella Charity and formerly operating as Sleep Scotland, is the UK’s oldest sleep charity. Sleep Action provides families resident in Scotland one-to-one sleep support for any child aged 18 months to 18 years old, including but not limited to those with a suspected or diagnosed additional support need or health condition. Our Sleep Advisors complete a sleep assessment, asking questions on current routines, diet, exercise, and sleep issue. They will then create a sleep plan of cognitive and behavioural changes based on the responses. We may refer some families on to one of our Sleep Counsellors with a background in specific support needs.

We also offer extensive training covering a range of sleep-related interests and needs including our renowned Sleep Counsellor courses for professionals; self-led courses for adults and wellbeing packages for employers. We work with professionals, families and employers to promote healthy sleep, because we believe that everyone deserves to thrive through healthy sleep.

What projects are you currently working on?

After four years of mostly working remotely, Sleep Action will have its home at the new Capella Charity headquarters at 95 McDonald Road, Edinburgh in October 2024. The move provides much-needed office space for the teams supporting the delivery of the charity’s services. Like so many across the voluntary sector, Sleep Action was incredibly successful in transitioning to an entirely remote service amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Demand for our service has continued to grow because there is no health and wellbeing without sleep. Our new head office will provide us with even greater flexibility to meet the growing demand, including dedicated space for offering in-person training to the education, health, and social care sector staff supporting children facing severe sleep issues.

How can children and young people make their views heard to influence your work?

Children and young people can play an essential role in shaping our work at Sleep Action by sharing their views and experiences with us. We collaborate with schools to deliver our Sound Sleep education programme. Young people can make their voices heard by actively participating in these sessions, sharing their feedback, and suggesting topics or issues they feel are important for discussion. We also work engage in research projects with a focus on sleep in young people that allows us to hear what is important to young people and what aspects of their lives may affect their ability to sleep well consistently.

A case study to demonstrate the impact our work has:

X was 7-year-old when her family sought support for sleep. She lived with her mum, and spends one evening per week at her dad’s. She is autistic and have delays in speech and language, as well as differences in language acquisition and social interaction.

Before support:

School reported behaviours that challenge relating to sensory overwhelm and comfort seeking behaviour. At home, she would become distressed if her routine was changed. She liked to use the trampoline or spin on a chair to regulate.

Summary of main issue:

X would have issues falling asleep and would also wake around 1/2am for up to 2 hours in the middle of the night. By the end of the week, she was usually exhausted so would fall asleep in the early evening while mum is making dinner, which then means she wouldn’t sleep come bedtime.

Sleep plan:

The sleep counsellor created a calming bedtime routine with mum and X so that it wasn’t being changed around her. They changed the order to reduce sensory overload by allowing time for chair spinning earlier in the day and then included calm, quiet play followed by a bath and stories that X had chosen in the run-up to bedtime.

Outcome of sleep programme:

Mum reports that X is sleeping well and not waking up as often. Dad worked on introducing the same routine when X stayed with him so that there was consistency for her.

School reported the following improvements/changes:

• Increase attendance – X has now improved several percentage points in attendance since the sleep assessment and resulting sleep management plan.

• Less overwhelm when in school – X is now transitioning better in the mornings to settle more easily into the school routine.

• Greater tolerance for external demands they face when in school – X is now completing more adult-led/adult-directed tasks and spending less time engaging rigidly in their own preferred, self-chosen tasks.

How can other organisations or individuals get involved or support your work?

By supporting Sleep Action, organisations and individuals can play a vital role in helping us achieve our mission of improving sleep health for everyone. We welcome partnerships with organisations that share our commitment to promoting sleep health. By collaborating on research projects, educational initiatives, or awareness campaigns, we can combine our strengths to reach a wider audience and make a greater impact.

Join us in spreading the word about the importance of sleep health. Whether through social media, community events, or workplace wellness programmes, your voice can help amplify our message and raise awareness. Our Scottish Sleep Support Line can provide one-to-one support for families living in Scotland with a child that doesn’t sleep, but not everyone who could use it is aware it exists.

For businesses, implementing our Sleep Friendly Employer programme in the workplace can not only benefit your employees’ well-being but also demonstrate your commitment to their overall health.

If your organisation was an animal what would it be and why?

This was a fun question to ask the team. We came up with a few suggestions, but decided we would be a honeybee.

Honeybees are known for their collaborative spirit, dedication, and ability to create something sweet and valuable—just as we aim to create lasting change through our collective efforts. Small but mighty, and always working towards the greater good.

Ends

If you are interested in finding more information and getting in touch with Sleep Action, visit their website.

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