End Hygiene Poverty - In Kind Direct

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Help us build a future without hygiene poverty.

In Kind Direct and The Hygiene Bank are joining forces to end hygiene poverty.

A future without hygiene poverty is possible.

Everyone should have access to the essentials they need to feel clean, healthy and confident. But for 1 in 5 adults across the UK, that’s not the reality.

Hygiene poverty is about more than going without soap, toothpaste, deodorant or other essentials. It can cause shame, anxiety, isolation and embarrassment, while disrupting health, education, employment and everyday life. And as more people face financial pressure, hygiene poverty is no longer a marginal issue affecting a small number of people – it is a mainstream issue affecting millions.

We believe this must change. The Hygiene Bank and In Kind Direct have come together to drive the action needed to end hygiene poverty. Our End Hygiene Poverty campaign brings together research and evidence, lived experience and frontline insight to understand the scale and impact of hygiene poverty, support people experiencing it today and tackle the causes that drive it. We’re working with government, businesses, charities and communities to build the partnerships, practical solutions and long-term change needed to create a future without hygiene poverty.

Together, we can end hygiene poverty.

1. Read our latest research

Time to Act: Hygiene Poverty in the UK in 2026

The Facts: 

  • 9.6 million adults are currently experiencing hygiene poverty in the UK – that’s nearly one in five adults.  
  • 41% of those experiencing hygiene poverty have done so for the first time this year. 
  • 36%  of all UK adults expect to go without at least one hygiene product in the next six months. 

This report explores the scale and impact of hygiene poverty in the UK today. We don’t have all the answers. We need people to join the conversation and help build what’s next. Read the report. Build on it. Join us in ending hygiene poverty

Read the report

Get a snapshot of the report

Explore our research through video

Get involved and spread the word

Want to help us spread the message? 

Whether you’re a business, charity, community organisation or individual, you can support the campaign by sharing the End Hygiene Poverty message with your network. 

Explore our supporting social assets and resources to get involved. Together, we can raise awareness, spark conversations and build support for the action needed to end hygiene poverty by 2030. 

 

Be part of the solution

We want to hear from you! Over the coming months, we will be working with our extended network to help shape the next phase of the End Hygiene Poverty programme and identify the actions needed to drive lasting change. This is an opportunity to give your perspective on what needs to change, what you’re seeing making positive impact already. Enter your details if you wish to be part of the conversation and we’ll be in touch by email. (You can unsubscribe at any time). 

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Be part of the conversation

Read the evidence. Challenge it. Build on it. Join us in ending hygiene poverty. 

A note from Michael and Ruth

“For the first time, we have the clearest picture of hygiene poverty in the UK, thanks to our research conducted together with The Hygiene Bank. With 9.6 million people experiencing hygiene poverty in the UK, the question is no longer whether it exists, it’s are we willing to act with the urgency this evidence demands. That’s why we’re working with The Hygiene Bank, and why we’re calling on government, businesses and communities to help us build a roadmap to end hygiene poverty for good.” 

Micheal Gidney, CEO at In Kind Direct

“Our work continues to sit at the intersection of immediate crisis response and long-term systemic change. That means getting essential products to people who need them today, while working towards a future where that support is no longer needed. Together with In Kind Direct, we are calling on government, businesses, charities and communities to help us build a roadmap to end hygiene poverty for good because everyone deserves to feel clean.” 

Ruth Brock, CEO at The Hygiene Bank

Learn more about The Hygiene Bank

Can individuals access products directly from In Kind Direct?

Although we are unable to support individuals directly, if you are in need of support yourself, the free online advice service from Citizens Advice  can help you find a way forward, whatever the problem.

The charity Turn2us also provides some excellent resources including a benefits checker to ensure you are claiming all the benefits you are eligible for, and a grants search to look for grant-giving organisations that give out grants and other help to individuals.

If you are connected with a UK not for profit organisation such as a charity, community group, foodbank or school, then it may be possible for them to join In Kind Direct and access products. They would need to join our network which they can do online here for free: inkinddirect.org/register

Help us raise awareness of hygiene poverty

Follow us and share our campaign on Instagram

A special thanks to those who support us on our mission in tackling hygiene poverty

None of our work would be possible without the generosity of our Individual Donors, Trusts & Foundations and Corporate Partners