The Hygiene Bank

The Hygiene Bank gives those who cannot afford to stay clean access to essential and everyday toiletries and hygiene products.  The Hygiene Bank receives regular grants to obtain vital products such as toothpaste, nappies and washing powder.

J and her family learnt to budget as best they could and by the end of the month they had just enough to get to and from work and feed the family. But then something unexpected happened. The car failed its MOT and needed expensive repairs. This put them into debt, they got behind in their rent and couldn’t climb out of what felt like a hopeless situation.

As any mother would, J prioritised feeding her children at the expense of her own health and wellbeing and fell into sickness and depression. Thankfully, she went to her GP who referred her to the foodbank.  The foodbank in question is supported by regular donations from The Hygiene Bank. Therefore, in addition to groceries, J was given essential toiletries for the whole family including, shampoo, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, tampons, deodorant, shaving gel and razors. She was even given washing powder.

The Foodbank operations manager told us J was overwhelmed and cried with relief and shame. She admitted that the whole family had been washing their hair, their bodies and clothes in cheap washing up liquid. The same one that they used for the dishes. They cut the ends off tubes of toothpaste to eke out the last bits, her husband’s beard was a necessity and not a fashion choice and she herself was sometimes housebound when she had her period because she didn’t have enough money for tampons.