‘Over 14 million people in the UK live in poverty - that is one fifth of our population, and two thirds of those defined as living in poverty work’.
What is Hygiene Poverty?
Hygiene poverty is where somebody can’t afford basic hygiene products to help keep themselves or their family clean. It means they must make the decision between buying food, paying the bills or buying hygiene products. With these options, it is no wonder, hygiene is prioritised last, because people often don’t have a choice but to live without this basic but so necessary need.
‘Nearly half of all school teachers said they had seen bullying because of hygiene issues’.
Living in hygiene Poverty not only has physical affects but Mental Health suffers due the unpleasant feeling and lack of confidence, which often leads to self-isolation.
‘Over one third of people living in the UK and over half of 18 to 24 year olds have had to go without hygiene or grooming essentials or cut down on them due to lack of funds’.
Examples of Hygiene Poverty include:
· Struggling to wash your hair because you can’t afford shampoo.
· Not being able to purchase deodorant because money is needed for the electric card.
· Not being able to replace a toothbrush when needed or sharing a toothbrush because one each just isn't an option.
· Being unable to change your baby's nappy as often as is needed and scraping out the contents before reapplying it.
·Washing hair, bodies, faces and clothes in the same cheap washing up liquid used for the dishes.
· Being housebound because you can't afford period protection or have to improvise with rolled up loo roll and socks.
· Having to choose between shaving foam and razors or the transport fare to a job interview.
· Going to school with matted hair because there is only one hairbrush in the household and there's no time for everyone to get a chance to use it.
· Not being able to wash clothes, school uniform and muddy sports kit when needed.
· Being 'judged' for living in an unclean home, because you can't afford the cost of household cleaning products.
The Hygiene Bank
The Hygiene Bank are a charity, built by a group of people seeking jusice for those suffering in Hygiene Poverty. This charity ensures that those who cannot afford basic Hygiene needs, have access and empower them to lift themselves out of their poverty.
How WE are helping Hygiene Poverty.
We have made a promise that with every order purchased with Beyond Your Skin, we will donate a bar of our handmade soap to Hygiene Poverty UK. We passionate believe that nobody should suffer in poverty and we have a product which we love dearly and want to share with EVERYBODY- yes, that means everybody who needs the basic need of soap, can access it. Christmas 2021, we donated our soaps to a food bank in Solihull with Renewal Church, who handed out hampers to those living in need at Christmas. We will continue to reach out to our communities, with your help.
If you know of anyone living in Hygiene Poverty, then get in touch with us at Beyond Your Skin, because it could be that we can help in some way or point you in the right direction of seeking help.
How YOU can help.
Donate:
If you can; donating products to hygiene banks or food banks (if they are taking toiletries) is a simple way to support those in need across the UK. You simply purchase the products in need and drop them off at your preferred location.
Volunteer:
Without people volunteering at hygiene banks, they wouldn’t be as successful. Therefore, if you can, want to and meet the criteria, then getting in touch via their website would be a great help.
Read and spread the word:
If you can’t donate right now, then simply reading all you can about hygiene poverty is the best place to start. From here, you can educate others in discovering what Hygiene Poverty is and the need for us to take action.
The bottom line...
Hygiene poverty isn’t a widely understood issue so sharing knowledge with friends and family can help to spread this very much needed message.
Click this link to learn more and show your support.
*Source: The Hygiene Bank (https://thehygienebank.com/who-we-are/what-is-hygiene-poverty/)
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