This week marks National Hygiene Week
A week which aims to highlight the very real problem of hygiene poverty across the UK. An estimated 14m people in the UK are said to be facing hygiene poverty – being unable to access the basic items needed to keep clean, be they shower gel or soap, toothbrushes or sanitary protection. And in light of the coronavirus pandemic, the situation is only going to get worse.
What is National Hygiene Week?
National Hygiene Week, which runs from September 14-20, brings hygiene poverty into focus through events and challenges aimed at raising awareness of the issue. The campaign is run by The Hygiene Bank, a charity which was founded by Lizzy Hall after seeing the Ken Loach movie I, Daniel and realising that those living in poverty would be struggling to afford the basics of hygiene as well as other essentials such as food.. “It’s not right that keeping clean should be a luxury or a privilege for anyone in our society. Hygiene poverty exists, closer to home than you think, and it’s unjust,” says Lizzy.
What does The Hygiene Bank do?
The Hygiene Bank provides essential hygiene and personal care products to those living in poverty. The charity collects new, unused and in-date toiletries, hygiene basics, beauty, personal care and cleaning essentials, which are then distributed to those most in need.
Their donation policy is based around the mantra: ‘If you need them and use them, then it is likely someone else needs and uses them too,’ and they accept anything from deodorant to shampoo to razors to loo roll. The charity’s mission is ‘to bring communities together to tackle hygiene poverty by providing essential products to those of us locked in poverty.’
The Hygiene Bank accepts donations of new, unused and in-date toiletries, including hygiene, beauty and personal care essentials.
Here are some desperately needed items which you could donate:
• Toothpaste & Toothbrush (child/adult)
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Shower gel
• Razors
• Shaving foam
• Deodorant
• Hairbrush/hair ties
• Nit comb/nit shampoo
• Sanitary products
• Nappies
• Baby wipes
• Toilet roll
