Jack’s Blog: Taking Sleep Support to New Heights

Jack Kinross, Business Development Manager at Sleep Action, on why sleep support matters and how he plans to abseil 120ft to prove it.

As the newest member of the Sleep Action team, I’ve been blown away by the impact of the work we do. Sleep might seem simple, but I’ve quickly learned that it impacts our health and wellbeing in so many complex ways. Around the office, there’s a phrase I hear often: there is no health and wellbeing without sleep. And the longer I’m here, the more I understand how vital support around sleep can be for the many people who face difficulties.

It’s so easy to take sleep for granted. But for many children, young people, and individuals with additional or complex support needs, sleep can be an ongoing struggle. Parents, carers, teachers, and professionals often notice something isn’t quite right but aren’t sure how to help. And many people still don’t realise just how deeply poor sleep affects behaviour, mood, learning, and day-to-day life especially for those with complex needs.

That’s exactly why Sleep Action is here. Our Scottish Sleep Support Line, sleep training courses, resources, and specialist guidance provide practical, compassionate help across communities, schools, care settings, workplaces and of course, in people’s own homes. Wherever someone is facing sleep difficulties, we aim to be there with non-judgmental advice and evidence-based solutions.

To mark the beginning of my role, I’ve decided to take on a challenge: abseiling 120ft down the iconic Falkirk Wheel on 21st March 2026.

I’m aiming to raise £300 in support of our Scottish Sleep Support Line. The Scottish Sleep Support Line is a vital service available to families with children and young people between 18 months and 18 years living in Scotland. Experiencing ongoing long-term sleep issues can be very stressful, isolating and exhausting for both the young people and those that care for them. The Scottish Sleep Support Line provides compassionate, non-judgmental support and guidance tailored to each young person’s unique needs.

Since 2018, over 4,000 families have trusted Sleep Action, receiving vital support that can change lives for everyone involved. Crucially the service is available at no cost, and this is only made possible through grant funding and fundraisers.

If you’d like to support my abseil, you can donate £10 here.

Every contribution helps us continue providing compassionate, much needed sleep support to Scotland’s children, young people, and families.

With funding for services like ours becoming tighter every year, fundraising has never been more important. Getting healthy sleep is a complex life skill that affects everyone differently, and it deserves to be understood, taught, and properly resourced. Joining Sleep Action has made me passionate about spreading this message as widely as possible.

And so, what better way to highlight the importance of sleep support (and raise funds), than by dangling 35 metres in the air off the world’s only rotating boat lift? Especially when I’m not great with heights…