By
Swags for Homeless
Tony Clark
Lisa Clark
Designed in
Australia
Description
The Backpack Bed has revolutionised single bed outdoor sleeping and has been awarded the prestigious 2011 Red Dot 'Best of the Best' Product Design Award in Germany.
Tonight,16,375 Australians will sleep on the streets, under bridges & worse (ABS 2006).
Swags for Homeless provides Emergency Relief Backpack Beds to both street sleeping homeless turned away from shelters and as material aid for disaster relief.
National charity Swags for Homeless partners with 100+ homeless organisations to distribute Backpack Beds.
As a self sustaining vision the Backpack Beds are also sold to the public with profits going back to the charity.
Key Features
and/or Benefits
- Waterproof up to 5 times more waterproof than heavy canvas (international standard AATCC 127)
- Windproof (international standard ASTM E:96)
- Fire retardant (international standard CPAI-84)
- Anti-mildew
Saves Lives:
Every homeless recipient is surveyed - results show Backpack Beds improve homeless health, safety, self-esteem, comfort, warmth and sleep. Without these, homeless may resort to extreme measures such as desperation crime.
Until now - homeless turned away from shelters were given blankets (if lucky) which only last up to a week on the street and discarded.
Health and dignity is the first step to getting homeless back on their feet faster.
A high quality foam with reports of homeless nightly sleeping on same foam for 10+ months.
The fabric mattress cover can be opened via press studs to ensure easy cleaning.
Sleeping on concrete is deadly to homeless health - the insulated mattress provides comfort and warmth.
A recent study showed 21% of Sydney and 16% of Melbourne street sleeping homeless suffered from cold/wet weather injuries (trench foot, frostbite, hypothermia). These injuries cause unnecessary health costs.
3 mosquito mesh vents (head + foot + chest). Ultra strong mesh - no human has been able to tear it with bare hands
Street sleeping homeless do not have change of socks and shoes - they often get foot problems. The Royal District Nurses explain the foot vent provides aeration for healing foot problems.
Hidden internal lockable pocket (with supplied brass key padlock). Plus multiple intelligent storage zones
- A hidden internal lockable pocket is suitable for storing identification and small valuables.
- Other belongings are stored in the backpack and rolled into the bedding zone where homeless can store 20+kg of personal belongings - including blankets and clothes.
- 3 large external pockets with velcro flaps
The Backpack Bed is also suitable for camping, bushwalking, fishing, motorbike travel and other niches where lightweight portable bedding is required - sold to the public online, profits to the charity.
Ultra light Backpack with built-in Bed. Approx 2.48kg. Ergonomically shaped backpack straps. Portability - looks like a backpack ... but rolls out into a bed.
Adjustable padded backpack straps shaped to be comfortably worn by people with either large or small shoulders.
Ultra lightweight street tough materials - ensuring durability.
Homeless may carry their entire lives with them - lightweight construction and comfortable backpack straps ensure the Backpack Bed can be carried all day.
The backpack styling ensures dignity for homeless - they do not look like they are carrying their bedding on their back.