Dreams has announced a three-year partnership with mental health charities Mind and SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), to help more people experience the positive impact of better sleep on their overall wellbeing.
With one in four people facing a mental health problem each year in the UK, Dreams, Mind and SAMH say they will work together to help ensure more people can access the mental health support they need, when they need it.
The partnership comes as new research from Dreams reveals that, on average, people are currently losing the equivalent of 22 full days of sleep a year, with everyday worries playing a major role.
"From finances to family and what the future holds, modern life can give us plenty to feel concerned about," says the retailer. "Racing thoughts about topics like these are the top cause of sleepless nights, with more than one in three Brits (37%) blaming a busy mind for keeping them awake. Stress also takes a significant toll, interrupting the sleep of one in four of us (28%).
"The impact of missing out on vital rest goes beyond just feeling tired. Poor sleep can affect almost every aspect of our wellbeing, including increasing our irritability, intensifying conflict and impacting our ability to focus.
"Dreams’ partnership with Mind and SAMH is built on the shared understanding that proper rest can help us better cope with the pressures of everyday life. Because sleep is not simply about switching off – it is an opportunity for the body to recover, the mind to reset and for us all to find moments of comfort when life feels overwhelming."
Dreams has committed to donating £150,000 to support Mind and SAMH’s work, with the overall ambition to raise much more than this together with staff, customers and communities over the course of the partnership.
Money donated will go towards: providing mental health information and support to people across England, Wales and Scotland; keeping support services running, including Mind’s Side by Side peer support platform and helplines; and supporting over 70 of SAMH's community-based mental health services, including Time for You, which offers free wellbeing coaching and counselling.
Jonathan Hirst, CEO of Dreams, says: “Helping people sleep better is what we’re all about at Dreams. We know that a good night’s sleep can transform how we feel in ourselves and how we show up for others.
"That’s why partnering with Mind and SAMH felt like such a natural fit. By working together, we hope to encourage more open conversations about wellbeing, raise money for mental health services, and remind people that knowing how to rest well can make a real difference when things get tough.”
Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind, adds: “We’re delighted to be launching this three-year partnership and are grateful to Dreams for working alongside us to help more people understand the positive impact better sleep can have on their overall wellbeing.
"We’re also incredibly thankful for the funds Dreams plans to raise for Mind and SAMH. Their support will help us continue providing vital services, such as our helplines and online peer support community, Side by Side, ensuring people have somewhere to turn for advice and information.”
Billy Watson, chief executive of SAMH, concludes: “Sleep and mental wellbeing are closely linked, so we’re pleased to be partnering with Dreams and Mind to promote the benefits of taking care of both. This partnership will raise vital funds and awareness for mental health support across the country. Together, we can create a Scotland where anyone can ask once and get help fast with their mental health.”
