Hygiene Poverty Puts Pressure on UK Families – Ashley James Backs National Campaign
New research has revealed that nearly half (49%) of people in the UK have had to go without basic hygiene products so they can afford essentials like food, rent, or healthcare.
Over a third (38%) of Brits say they’ve experienced hygiene poverty—and 64% admit there have been times when they couldn’t clean themselves properly. Even more concerning, 80% say this is still a problem today.
Broadcaster and mum Ashley James is supporting national charity The Hygiene Bank to raise awareness of this crisis. She says,
“No one should be forced to choose between putting food on the table and having access to essentials like toothpaste, shampoo, or nappies—especially not in one of the richest countries in the world.”
Ashley James
The impact of hygiene poverty goes far beyond cleanliness. It affects confidence, mental health, job prospects and children’s wellbeing. 71% of Brits worry about the effect on children, with bullying (71%) and low self-esteem (65%) being top concerns. A third of people say their mental health has suffered, and 1 in 10 have avoided job interviews due to poor access to hygiene products.
Social lives are also affected, with 64% limiting interactions because of the shame and stigma that comes with not being able to wash properly. Over half (53%) feel ashamed, and 46% worry they smell.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
To help tackle this issue, The Hygiene Bank is working with Unilever and Boots. Until 26th August, for every purchase of selected Unilever products, including Dove, TRESemmé, Sure, and Vaseline, Unilever will donate an item to The Hygiene Bank.
This long-running partnership has already delivered 1.8 million hygiene products across the UK—321,000 in the last year alone. Now, they aim to donate at least 315,000 more this summer.
Hi, I’m SJ. I’m the Beauty Editor and PR Executive here at MyVoucherCodes. As a qualified make-up artist, I've been able to share my knowledge on all things beauty and skincare with our readers so they not only look good and feel great, but save money. As a mum of three, I understand the challenges that families face, and making budgets go further is something I feel passionately about. My research and recommendations help families of all sizes shop better allowing them to enjoy the little luxuries in life. My work has been featured in many publications including The Sun, The Mirror, Netmums, and The Telegraph.
Outside of MyVoucherCodes, I'm a writer and interviewer for pop culture magazines like Buzz Magazine. I've chatted to celebrities such as Strictly's Johannes Redebeand poet Kae Tempest. It's certainly one of the best parts of my job. Over the years I've built a portfolio of work that shows the diversity of my writing, which gives me a breadth of knowledge and experience that I apply to my work every day.
