In May, Medway and Maidstone Soroptimists held a Charity Fashion that raised £410 with the proceeds going to the local Hygiene Banks.
As Soroptimists we are aware that in 2024, Hygiene poverty affects 4.2 million adults in the UK. In the past 12 months, 68% of those affected by hygiene poverty say it has affected their mental health with 60% feeling depressed and embarrassed because they are being pulled into hygiene poverty.
We had planned to donate the proceeds equally between the Maidstone and Medway Hygiene Banks. Unfortunately, the Maidstone Hygiene Bank is no longer operational and so the full £410 has been donated to Hygiene Bank Medway.
Emma Thomas at the Hygiene Bank Medway is extremely grateful for the donation. They plan to spend it on ladies’ self-care kits. These contain 11 or 12 items to equip women and girls to keep themselves clean. They cost around £12 each but the Hygiene Bank is able to subsidise the cost so, along with our donation, they will be able to put together around 50 kits to support woman and girls in the area. The partners of the Hygiene Bank (schools, day centres, etc.) like the kits because they are easy to hand out discreetly thus minimising any unnecessary embarrassment.