Imagine sending your child to school without brushing their teeth, or to play with a friend having not showered for a week. Unthinkable. Except for millions of children this summer that will be the reality. That's why the charity Beauty Banks is on a mission to end hygiene poverty.
New research has revealed that three million children in Britain could go hungry during the summer holidays, that’s an increase of 100,000 children compared to last year. The majority of children living in poverty (69%) are growing up in a working household but despite their parents holding down jobs, putting food on the table is still a struggle.
The stats are stark, and, when serving up three meals a day is financially difficult, other household items - that many of us take for granted - fall even further down the shopping list. Hygiene essentials including toothpaste, shampoo and deodorant become unaffordable luxuries.
Most parents chuck toiletries into the shopping trolley without thinking about the positive effect bringing home a bar of soap or shower gel will have on their children. However, those that regularly go without, know only too well how damaging a lack of personal hygiene can be. Research by The Beauty Banks has shown that when children aren’t able to adequately wash or take care of themselves the knock on effect on their mental, physical and emotional health can be huge. Children that don’t have regular access to hygiene products can be the target of bullies, or self-isolate due to shame, embarrassment and anxiety.
At Grazia, we believe that basic hygiene is fundamental to a child’s development and wellbeing. That’s why we are supporting the charity The Beauty Banks ‘Stay Fresh’ summer appeal which aims to tackle the hygiene poverty crisis that can occur during the school holidays.
‘The STAY FRESH Appeal exists to support children in low-income families during the long school summer holidays so they do not have to live with the added burden of poor hygiene,’ says Jo Jones, co-founder of Beauty Banks.
The Beauty Banks STAY FRESH APPEAL is raising funds for wellbeing kits containing holiday hygiene essentials distributed via Beauty Banks’ extensive UK-wide network of 450 charities, schools and libraries. ‘Our wellbeing kits will contain hygiene essentials like body wash, sanitary pads, SPF and toothbrushes and enough product to keep school-age children clean and fresh throughout the holidays so they can have a healthier, happier summer.’
Get Involved And Help Tackle Hygiene Poverty
BUY A STAY FRESH wellbeing kit
Donate £10 to support one child with a Beauty Banks Keep Fresh Kit throughout the summer. Donate £20 to support two children, and so on.
Donate HERE
TEXT TO DONATE
Text ‘FRESH’ and the amount you wish to donate (up to £20) to 70490*
SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
Please help us spread the word about the STAY FRESH campaign by sharing our digital assets on your social media channels, tagging @thebeautybanks #stayfresh #holidayhygiene
* Texts cost the chosen donation amount plus one standard network rate message.
Verity Clark is Grazia's Acting Health & Beauty Director using her decade of industry experience to champion honest conversations within the beauty space