Devastating video shows reality of millions of UK children living in 'bed poverty'

A powerful new AI-generated video has laid bare the UK's hidden crisis of child bed poverty, revealing the harsh truth for millions of children who don't have a bed of their own.

The moving short film, launched by sleep tech firm Simba, comes in the wake of fresh research showing that over one in ten British children are now living in bed poverty. This is characterised by an unhealthy sleeping environment due to insufficient bedding, shared sleeping spaces or overcrowded homes.

TitledNo Room For Rest, the film uses immersive, generative AIto illustrate the unseen effects of child bed poverty, confronting viewers with the severe physical and emotional toll of sleep deprivation over a 24-hour period.

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The story follows a day in the life of a young child struggling at school, battling extreme tiredness and feeling detached from their surroundings - all because they don't have a proper bed at home.

Heartbreaking scenes show the weary child missing their bus, narrowly avoiding being hit by a car, and struggling to stay awake in class. The lonely youngster then trudges home to their 'mattress' - a threadbare blanket on a hard floor, reports the Daily Star.

Almost one in five (19%) low-income adults in the UK report experiencing bed poverty, a figure that rises to 28% in London.

Bed poverty rates have also witnessed a dramatic surge across numerous regions since 2023, climbing from 10% to 16% in East Anglia, 20% to 24% in the North West, and 14% to 18% in Yorkshire.

The research also revealed that a third (32%) of parents on low incomes are currently sharing their bed with their children.

Among single parents, this figure has almost doubled over two years, leaping from 16% in 2023 to 28% in 2025.

Simba's investigation exposes the severity of the UK's bed poverty emergency - yet only 13% of low-income parents say they've witnessed bed poverty acknowledged in the media or by public figures.

"No child should have to start their day already exhausted because they don't have a comfortable, proper place to sleep", declared Steve Reid, CEO at Simba.

'Right to a good sleep'

"We believe every child deserves the right to a good night's sleep, and it is our mission to ensure everyone has access to better sleep through Dreamspace, a nationwide initiative that will deliver complete bed bundles – including a bed, mattress, duvet, pillow and protector – to 1,000 children and families referred through charities and social services, including Barnardo's and Buttle UK".

Bed poverty extends far beyond simply getting shut-eye. It concerns how exhaustion affects a child's behaviour, mood, nutrition, learning and social interaction.

The latest research shows that one in 10 (10%) parents believe inadequate sleep is damaging their child's mental health, whilst others (9%) report their youngsters find it difficult to concentrate in lessons.

Barnardo's chief executive Lynn Perry highlighted the severity of the situation, saying: "Bed poverty is just one facet of child poverty – and yet it starkly illustrates the challenges facing families across the UK.

"Many are having to prioritise essentials such as food, heating and electricity over things like replacing mouldy bedding or fixing rotten or broken beds.

"Sleeping on the floor, or in a mouldy mattress, affects a child's physical and mental health, with an impact on their life long into adulthood".

Buttle UK's CEO Joseph Howes emphasised the broader implications: "When children can't sleep comfortably, it affects every area of their life. Tonight, children across the UK will be sleeping on floors, airbeds, sofas and bed-sharing beyond an age that is dignified or suitable. Sleep is crucial for a child's development, behaviour and emotional resilience," Reid states. "When it's disrupted, the impact can last a lifetime."

Simba offers its customers the chance to contribute to this cause by making a donation at checkout to help more children get the rest they need.

The No Room for Rest initiative can be explored at https://simbasleep.com/dreamspace - where further details about Simba's Dreamspace mission are also available.