‘Let’s talk hygiene poverty’
ALEXANDRA BURKE DISCUSSES A HIDDEN CRISIS THAT CAN IMPACT FAMILIES’ MENTAL HEALTH
Competing in Channel 4’s Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, singer Alexandra Burke faced not only a series of gruelling tasks, but also being unable to wash for days.
“After so much physical exertion, that felt awful,” says Alexandra, 33, an ambassador for Boots and The Hygiene Bank’s partnership. “After filming ended, I felt instantly better, watching all the mud and grime wash away as I covered myself with soap – a product I now realise I took for granted.”
Since joining forces with Boots and The Hygiene Bank – a charity that provides hygiene and personal care products to those of us who are experiencing hygiene poverty – Alexandra has realised the true scale of the issue in Britain.
Over 14 million people in the UK live in poverty, many of whom can’t afford basic items to keep them clean – a problem exacerbated by Covid-19.
In a Boots-commissioned survey of 500 teachers, almost 70 per cent declared that hygiene poverty was an issue in their school, while two thirds reported that they had witnessed bullying as a result.
“Many families have to prioritise paying their bills and putting food on the table over hygiene,” explains Alexandra.
“There’s a knock on effect to so
We need to break down the stigma that surrounds hygiene poverty
many areas, and when children are being bullied due to hygiene poverty, it can affect their mental health, confidence and ability to learn. This is a hidden crisis that must be addressed head on.”
This is exactly why Boots is supporting The Hygiene Bank – by highlighting the impact of hygiene poverty on families; by encouraging people to donate hygiene basics at one of 400 Boots stores nationwide, and by matching donations so that for every 1kg of product donated, Boots donates four more.
Here, Alexandra explains why it matters to her, and how we can all
make a difference.
Why are you backing Boots and The Hygiene Bank’s campaign?
I was shocked at the statistics for hygiene poverty. I want to speak for families who are going through it and don’t feel they have a voice.
Did you know about hygiene poverty before?
At school, after PE we’d shower and some pupils didn’t have certain products like deodorant or shower gel. Looking back, they could have been in families where difficult choices had to be made.
Did your family ever struggle to access hygiene products?
Mum had to prioritise paying her bills over buying certain things, but as a single mum to four kids she luckily had family support to be able to work. At times, we were one bill away from financial trouble.
What story of hygiene poverty has especially affected you?
The Hygiene Bank told me of a little girl who got nits at school, and because her mum couldn’t afford the treatment shampoo, she had to shave off her daughter’s hair. I can’t imagine what it was like for that child walking into school…
How can we help people who lack the means to get clean?
We need to break down the stigma that surrounds hygiene poverty by talking about it delicately but openly. We need to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. Every child has a right to feel clean.