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Boots and The Hygiene Bank have partnered to help combat hygiene poverty in the UK with a new initiative supporting young people trying to find employment.
With more than a million young people out of work in the UK, new research from Boots and The Hygiene Bank has revealed that hygiene poverty poses a significant barrier to employment; 80% of 18-24 year olds affected by hygiene poverty say that they have delayed or missed a career opportunity as they lacked access to basic hygiene products like period products, toothbrushes, toothpaste and deodorant.
Karisha Vijay, winner of BBC The Apprentice and CEO of Kishkin, speaks on her personal experience of growing up with financial difficulties: “For young people starting work, being able to afford hygiene products can be the difference between showing up confidently and not showing up at all.
“I grew up with a single mum, and even as a young girl I knew we were struggling to make ends meet. My mum always taught me that material things come and go, but she made sure we were clean and presentable because she knew opportunity doesn’t always come knocking and looking the part could make a difference.
“Hygiene poverty plays a massive role in why people can’t improve their situation. They can’t get into the rooms that could change their lives because they already feel like everyone else has a head start,” adds Vijay.
Ruth Brock, CEO of The Hygiene Bank, says: "Going without or substituting products – washing up liquid used as shampoo, rolled up tissue instead of period products, teeth brushed with a finger – all contribute to the shame and stigma people tell us they feel about hygiene poverty.
“The critical issue is that this isn't just causing acute misery, anxiety and depression, it's also blocking opportunities and limiting life chances,” adds Brock.
To help those affected by hygiene poverty, Boots and The Hygiene Bank have created 15,000 ‘First Impression’ kits containing essential items that a young person needs to prepare for an interview, including deodorant, shampoo, shower gel and dental products.
The kits are set to be distributed to young people through local community partners, including The Hygiene Bank and The King’s Trust, throughout the year.
Brock continues: “This campaign is highlighting specifically how hygiene poverty is shutting young people out of work opportunities – and therefore limiting their futures.
“These kits from Boots are a vital and exciting next step to help young people feel ready for the workplace – and ready for a brighter tomorrow," says Brock.
Throughout the summer, Boots has also pledged over 500,000 products to The Hygiene Bank; every purchase from participating brands – including Colgate, Tampax, Always, Oral-B and Sanex – will be matched with a product donation.
Over the last 6 years, Boots has donated over 2 million hygiene products to The Hygiene Bank, and over 160 tonnes of hygiene products have been donated via the 500 drop off points in Boots stores across the UK.
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