Christmas appeal to tackle hygiene poverty launches in Wales
A Christmas appeal to help people overcome hygiene poverty launches in Wales this week.
A Gift for Christmas, led by the Church in Wales, will address the hidden crisis of hygiene poverty which affects 3.1 million people across the UK. The Archbishop of Wales is asking churches to donate a minimum 10 boxes of toiletries and hygiene products to local food banks and charity partners.
Findings from The Hygiene Bank’s 2022 report by showed that 61% of people experiencing hygiene poverty said it had a negative impact on their mental health. The report highlighted that social isolation was a significant factor of hygiene poverty with 49% said they avoided socialising with friends because they felt ashamed and embarrassed.
The report also showed that families are feeling the impact of hygiene poverty with 62% of parents experiencing hygiene poverty reporting that they had to choose between hygiene products for themselves or their children.
A Gift for Christmas is the latest initiative from the Church in Wales to tackle the cost-of-living crisis having recently launched the Food and Fuel campaign to tackle the cause of food and energy poverty.
The Archbishop of Wales says, “It is important that as Christians we are practitioners of generosity as well as advocates for social justice, which is why we are launching A Gift for Christmas.
“Lockdown was hard enough on our mental welling so to hear that children and families are missing out on social activities because they cannot afford basics like soap, shower gel and toothpaste is shocking. We cannot sit back and do nothing.
“Our churches are at the heart of every community, and we have a huge network of volunteers who feel called to share God’s love and compassion in the world. What better way than to work together this Christmas to change people’s live and advocate on their behalf.
“My hope is that every single one of our churches contributes to this campaign so that we can end hygiene poverty in Wales.”
St Winifred’s Church Penrhiwceiber have joined the campaign and are collecting hygiene products to give to the local primary school. St Winifred’s have also partnered with Hey Girls to provide period products to anyone who needs them.
Rev Stuart Ghezzi says, “It’s heart-breaking to think children are too embarrassed to socialise because families cannot afford basics such as soap, toothpaste and shampoo. As a church we feel strongly that children should have the best start in life which is why we have signed up to the campaign. It’s our way of showing God’s love in the world.”
How to get involved
Churches are being asked to place boxes for A Gift for Christmas in their buildings and invite people to donate hygiene products. Churches can them donate them to local food banks, Hygiene Bank drop-off points or to local charities.