First there were FoodBanks, then came HelpBanks, now it seems, there is a growing need for Hygiene Banks.
As the cost of living crisis impacts more Islanders, so increases the level of hygiene poverty – residents unable to afford basic hygiene products such as soap, deodorant, toothpaste and brushes, shampoo, sanitary products, etc.
Isle of Wight Hygiene Bank
To address this growing hygiene poverty – which can affect people’s mental health, ability to seek work and more – Kaylee Hargreaves has set up an Isle of Wight branch of Hygiene Bank.
She’s been successful in already building up a network of Local Community Partners, including the likes of IW Youth Trust and Independent Arts.
Volunteers sought
Kaylee has managed to recruit two volunteers, Shelley Scothorne and Stacey Dinning, but would welcome support from others.
If you would like to help out, please email [email protected] or visit the Website to find out more.
Where to donate
To support the Hygiene Bank’s efforts, you can leave items in donation boxes at Independent Arts (48-49 High St, Newport PO30 1SE) and IW Youth Trust (114 Pyle St, Newport PO30 1XA), as well as at Boots in Ryde and Newport and Isle of Wight College.
Ventnor Boots will be coming on later this month, as well as Better Days Cafe (64 High St, Ventnor PO38 1LT) and Wightoak Youth in Whitwell.
Aims
The aim of The Hygiene Bank is to bring communities, businesses and thought leaders together to tackle hygiene poverty by giving access to products and being a voice for change.
Find out more
You can find out more about the services of the Isle of Wight Hygiene Bank by visiting their social media page.
You can find out more about the national scheme by visiting the Hygiene Bank Website.
