If you were to rummage through my handbag, it's a given that you'll find two things inside, no matter what day it is, what season, or where I'm headed. These two items have become my handbag heroes – not my favourite lipstick or a compact, but a toothbrush and some toothpaste. Some might assume I have a breath issue to manage, but the truth is, it's the result of having three children and one bathroom. I rush out of the door most mornings, still throwing my clothes on. There's nothing worse than realising whilst on the train that I forgot to brush my teeth. It makes me feel gross, ashamed and paranoid that everyone is whispering about me and my morning breath.
Thankfully, I am able to keep an emergency stash of hygiene essentials in my handbag, but for millions of individuals and families living in poverty in the UK, these necessities are luxuries, and ones that they simply can't afford.
It's a harsh reality, especially considering the latest government poverty statistics, which reveal that around 14.4 million people lived in poverty in the UK in 2021/2022 - one in five people, including 4.2 million children. And with the cost-of-living crisis added into the mix, the number of people below the poverty line is expected to increase by hundreds of thousands.
Hygiene poverty is why me and my friend Sali Hughes set up Beauty Banks five years ago. Our mission is to tackle hygiene poverty by providing donations of essential products in bulk to those who need them most, via our partnerships with over 600 charities including food banks, homeless shelters, and domestic abuse centres. We firmly believe that everyone has the right to be clean, and that it's essential for our mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.
Today on 2nd May, we're launching our latest campaign - National Bin Day - with our long-standing partner Superdrug. Our goal is to raise awareness of hygiene poverty and drive donations of hygiene essentials to over 100 donation bins permanently placed in participating Superdrug stores across the UK. We're urging people to donate the hygiene products they couldn't imagine going through their day without. Each participating store is partnered with a charity in their community, ensuring that what's donated locally stays local. So whether you purchase products from Superdrug to donate or bring unused items from home, every contribution makes a difference.
If you want to join us in the fight against hygiene poverty, visit our website to find a list of participating Superdrug stores or donate directly on our website beautybanks.org.uk. As for me, I'll be donating plenty of toothpaste and toothbrushes - my handbag heroes.