The Hygiene Bank

What do The Hygiene Bank do?

The Hygiene Bank is a UK charity working to tackle hygiene poverty by providing essential toiletries and personal care products to people who cannot afford them. Through a nationwide network of community partners, they distribute items like soap, toothpaste, deodorant, menstrual products, and shampoo to ensure everyone can meet their basic hygiene needs with dignity.

By removing the financial barrier to these everyday essentials, they help people stay healthy, confident, and able to participate fully in work, education, and society.

Why did we choose them?

We chose The Hygiene Bank because hygiene poverty is a widespread but often hidden issue in the UK, and it aligns closely with Tithe’s focus on practical, high-impact giving. When families are forced to choose between food, heating, and toiletries, hygiene is often the first thing to go, with serious knock-on effects for physical health, mental wellbeing, and social inclusion.

The Hygiene Bank addresses this problem in a direct, no-frills way: getting essential items straight into the hands of people who need them, right now, through trusted local organisations.

What’s their impact?

The scale of hygiene poverty in the UK is stark: An estimated millions of people across the UK are unable to afford basic hygiene products. Lack of access to these essentials is linked to increased illness, school absence, workplace exclusion, and poor mental health.

The Hygiene Bank works with hundreds of community partners - including food banks, schools, shelters, and charities - enabling them to reach people quickly and efficiently in their own communities.

By supplying hygiene products at the point of need, they help restore dignity and reduce the daily stress faced by people living in poverty.

Where did the money go?

Our donation of £480 helps The Hygiene Bank purchase and distribute essential hygiene items to people across the UK. Because these products are bought and distributed at scale, a relatively small amount of money can make a meaningful difference to many households - ensuring families don’t have to choose between staying clean and meeting other basic needs.

This funding supports the simple but powerful idea that no one should be unable to wash, brush their teeth, or manage their period because they can’t afford to.

You can read more about their work and impact here.