What is this thing please?

by Rew
(Leeds, West Yorks, Enland)

Disregard the porch awning - it is the thing which is fitted to the front of the van that has perplexed me! I know what it might be, a kids bed.

But how come it matches the awning? And how does one use it? In forty years of caravanning I have never seen the like.

All info welcome