Churches across the Diocese of London are joining a campaign to challenge the injustice of hygiene poverty by helping coordinate the collection and distribution of hygiene products to those in need.
The Revd Mottershead FCA, Priest-in-Charge at Holy Sepulchre London, and coordinator of the Square Mile Hygiene Bank, is championing efforts within the Diocese to support the work of The Hygiene Bank charity. Just last week, Fr Nick collected 6 crates of hygiene products from his local branch of Boots Canon Street for distribution amongst their local community partners, including to the Jesuit Refugee Service UK.
The Square Mile Hygiene Bank currently provide hygiene products to more than 20 Community Partners (i.e. schools, charities and agencies) in London which together supports over 4,500 people living in hygiene poverty. To date they have distributed over 15,000kilos of hygiene products.
He is calling on colleagues and congregations within the Diocese’s 500+ worshipping communities, as well as city workers and local residents to join him and The Hygiene Bank in working to ensure no one is held back from participating in society because of hygiene poverty. There are currently a further 52 organisations on The Hygiene Bank’s waiting list in London, and Fr Nick’s goal is for every one of them to be accepted as a community partner of The Hygiene Bank, which would mean another 10,000 people could be regularly given some hygiene products and lifted out of hygiene poverty.
Hygiene poverty is not being able to afford many of the everyday hygiene and personal grooming products most take for granted. It can lead to a lack of confidence and can negatively affect good health and mental well-being which can impact early childhood development, learning, employability and social interaction. However, when hygiene products can be provided, there are many examples of improvements to children’s learning, increases in the speed of recovery for adults and children escaping crisis and much more.
A report from The Hygiene Bank last month found that 62% of people experiencing hygiene poverty with dependent children said they have had to choose between buying products for themselves or their children.
The Revd Nick Mottershead FCA, Priest-in-Charge at Holy Sepulchre London, said:
“I have been coordinating the Square Mile Hygiene Bank for over four years and the need now is greater than ever as set out in the recent research by The Hygiene Bank, but I have seen first-hand the power of local groups and City workers, of all faiths and none, working together to support front line workers in local schools, agencies and charities in their amazing work for some of the most vulnerable in our communities.
“Personal hygiene is not a privilege, but a right. The impact on anyone of living in hygiene poverty should move us all to want to get involved and so I call on colleagues and congregations across the Diocese of London, as well as city workers and local residents, to join us in supporting this vital work. As soon as I heard of the scale of the waiting lists, I wanted to launch this “10,000 reasons campaign” because like the Matt Redman song, the 10,000 people on the waiting list today in London in need of hygiene products should give every one of us 10,000 reasons to show the love of God through our actions.”
The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Bishop of London, said:
“As many cut back on ‘non-essentials’ due to the cost-of-living crisis, the plight of hygiene poverty will only worsen and it is unacceptable that anyone should feel unable to participate fully in society due to their inability to pay for hygiene products.
“We all have a role to play in supporting fellow citizens who are suffering from this issue and I am pleased that churches across the Diocese will be working with this inspirational charity, to transform the service that it provides to its community and increase awareness around the issue of hygiene poverty. The partnership formed during this campaign will bring lasting benefits for Londoners.”
Ruth Brock, CEO of The Hygiene Bank, said:
“At The Hygiene Bank we believe everyone deserves to feel clean and there is an acute and growing need for support in London. We urgently need to reach the 10,000 people served by city-based Community Partners on our waiting list. It’s simply unjust that so many are unable to afford the basics – toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant and detergent – that we all need to stay clean and well. Fr Nick’s ‘10,000 reasons’ campaign could make a real difference, both by raising awareness of hygiene poverty and by driving much-needed donations”