People in the North East to take fewer showers this winter to reduce costs
A study's been released by the Hygiene Bank
We are hearing how over a quarter of people across the North East will be taking fewer showers this winter to reduce costs.
A study has been released by the Hygiene Bank to coincide with fuel poverty awareness day.
Isabelle Parker, project coordinator for the Durham branch, said: "It shouldn't be a way we have to live. The fact that energy bills are rising leaves people with less money to spend on hygiene products. People are cutting back on toiletries and sanitary products just so they can have a shower in the winter when it's so cold and they have ntohing else to warm up.
"They shouldn't have to wash their clothes less often and cut back on essential items that a basic human needs all because of an energy crisis. I definitely think there needs to be more awareness, more education about this, about hygiene banks, about what we do and who we give to.
"We found a huge demand in products like shower gel and toothpaste recently especially coming up to Christmas, because people just don't have the access or the funds to get these products. Hygiene poverty has definitely become more prevalent in the recent months and years and it's something that we do need to tackle.
"I think the more support and awareness that we can spread then the more donations we can receive and then we can distribute them to people who really need them, so that people don't have to cut back on these essential every day items purely just to save money.
"We've seen a spike in people using washing up liquid that's used for dishes to wash their bodies purely because they don't have the funds to purchase these for themselves. Shower gels and shampoos shouldn't be this inaccessible and shouldn't have to be this luxury product. They are a necessity."
Hygiene Bank study
For many of us, a daily shower is a big part of our routine. In fact, 50% of us say it is important for our mental wellbeing, and most of us say we would feel uncomfortable going to a social occasion (67%) or work (59%) without a shower.
However, over a quarter (26%) of respondents to this latest study said they will be taking fewer showers this winter to reduce costs, with that increasing to 1 in 3 (35%) of those on annual income of £15,000 or less. This is particularly concerning as 14.8m million UK adults are concerned about their ability to afford shower products over the winter period meaning many could fall into hygiene poverty.
The new research by The Hygiene Bank also reveals that 55% would feel ashamed if they had to cut down on showers because they can’t afford hygiene products or the price of bills (52%), highlighting both the health and self-esteem implications of hygiene poverty.
The Hygiene Bank say they believes it is not right that feeling clean should be a luxury or a privilege. That is why its network of projects exists, to be able to give people access to the basics they need.
To find out more visit their website.