Luton Life podcast highlights vital work of Hygiene Bank

Imagine having so little money that you skimp on or scrap personal hygiene items like soap, shampoo and even toothpaste.

It’s reported that more than 50 percent of people in Luton live in poverty and that 50,000 school-age children live below the poverty line.

This month the Mall’s popular podcast Luton Life focuses on the vital support provided by The Hygiene Bank, an award-winning charity that believes everyone should have access to such items.

It provides the most basic toiletries that are often the first to be discarded when people find themselves in financial difficulties.

It’s run entirely by volunteers who work out of a shipping container on an industrial estate in Luton and rely on donations from the public – including a drop-off point at Boots in The Mall – as well as bargains from heavily discounted corporations such as In Kind Direct.

Podcast host Sophie Sulehria spoke to volunteer Katie McCarthy who said: “Long before someone goes to a foodbank, they stop cleaning their homes and buying personal hygiene products. We aim to get to these people before they need to go to a foodbank.”

Many of those locked in this kind of crisis struggle with shame, exclusion and social isolation which can impact early childhood development, learning, ability and social interaction.

The importance of providing basic hygiene items cannot be overstated.

Th Hygiene Bank also distributes its donations to other charities like the Dunstable Foodbank, Stepping Stones and All Saints for asylum seekers.

All Saints spokesperson Susan Kesterton said: “These products enable asylum seekers to shower and get themselves clean so they can feel refreshed and dignified.

“There’s no doubt that if they’ve come from traumatic situations, this will mean the world to them.”

The Hygiene Bank was one of the recipients of The Mall’s Community Chest Fund which has been supporting community life in Luton for 50 years.

Mall marketing manager Lavinia Douglass said: “We were so impressed by the fantastic work of The Hygiene Bank and its volunteers that we wanted to amplify their work on our Luton Life podcast.

"We encourage everyone to please consider donating items at the drop-off point in Boots.”

> Applications for The Mall’s Community Chest Fund are running until the end of October.