One Good Day of Rest – Jessica’s Story

When Jessica finally slept through the night, her mum Norah said it felt like a small miracle. “Seven hours of sleep,” she smiles. “It might not sound like much, but for us it meant everything.”

Five-year-old Jessica lives Helensburgh, Scotland, with her parents Norah and Martin. Jessica is non-verbal and waiting for an autism assessment after three years on the list. She loves music, being outdoors, and collecting pebbles just to hear the sound they make when they drop.

This winter, your gift could make One Good Day a reality for a child like Jessica – helping families find rest and relief when life feels relentless. 

Your donation could help towards funding new bedding, a sensory light or furniture that brings comfort and calm to a child’s space. 

Every pound donated matters to every family we support.

One good day after many sleepless nights

Jessica is a lively, affectionate child who finds comfort through closeness. “I’ve spent hours on the couch cuddling her,” says Norah. “It can be mentally and physically draining, but I can’t imagine how hard it must be for her when she can’t tell me what’s wrong.”

Sleep was one of the family’s biggest challenges. Jessica could function on just three hours a night, leaving Norah and Martin exhausted and running on adrenaline. “When she was awake, we were awake,” Norah says. “You never really switch off.”

How one good day began with comfort

When Norah applied for a Family Fund grant, she hoped to make Jessica’s environment calmer. The grant helped buy new bedding, a sensory projector that plays gentle lights and music, and later, a new couch where Jessica could rest when she couldn’t settle in her room.

“She was so relaxed by it,” says Norah. “And when we got the new couch, she slept till 7am. I was so happy — it was the best sleep she’d had in ages.” That one night of rest made all the difference. “It always came at the right time,” says Norah. “When you’re tired, everything feels harder. But when Jess sleeps, we can all breathe.”

One good day brings new strength

A good night’s sleep brings energy, patience and peace. For families like Norah’s, that’s what One Good Day is all about — creating moments of rest and renewal that make life a little brighter.

Donate today and help a family find one good day – and one peaceful night – this winter.