Cornwall charity urges donations as millions face hygiene poverty
5.3 million people are unable to afford basic hygiene products
A Hygiene Bank volunteer in Cornwall is urging people to donate to the cause, as new research shows that 5.3 million people across the UK are in 'hygiene poverty', unable to afford basic hygiene products.
The research from The Hygiene Bank shows that 34% of 25-34 year olds say they can't afford basic products, but they haven't told anyone.
Charlotte Lodey volunteers for The Hygiene Bank in Wadebridge and says there's a stigma around hygiene poverty, "People are embarrassed, they feel ashamed and they don't know how to ask for help.
"What this does is it has a major affect on people's mental health, it stops people going into work, dropping their kids off at school.
"It's just a real barrier for people to live their lives in the best possible way."
Research from the charity shows that 8.7 million Brits are missing work as they feel unclean.
Charlotte has been urging people to donate unused products at one of their drop-off points, "Food banks aren't just for food, we need to provide hygiene products and personal care products too.
"These are the things families in poverty aren't buying. They're buying the food because they need to but not the toothpaste, the shampoo, the toothbrushes."