Hygiene poverty – where the cost of purchasing everyday hygiene and grooming products such as shampoo, toothpaste and tampons is too much – is a recognised issue in society. To help those in the borough who experience hygiene poverty, the council has worked in partnership with the local community to install hygiene banks to help address the issue.
What is a hygiene bank?
Hygiene banks are designated locations where you can donate unused hygiene products. These banks will be regularly emptied, with the content redistributed through food banks and community pantries for those at need to access them.
What can I donate to a hygiene bank?
You can donate items such as:
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Shower gel
- Shampoo
- Hair conditioner
- Moisturising cream
- Deodorant
- Sanitary products
- Incontinence products
- New clean underwear
The list is not definitive, so please donate other hygiene products if suitable.
PLEASE NOTE all items should be NEW and UNUSED, with underwear being in its original packaging.
Where can I donate items?
The location of the hygiene banks is listed below. Please note this list may change over time, so do check this page for updates.
HAVANT
Co-Op Funeral Care: 28a North Street, PO9 1PT
Havant Library: Meridian Shopping Centre, Elm Lane, PO9 1UN
Havant Borough Council: Public Service Plaza, Civic Centre Road, PO9 2AX
How can I get help?
If you need to use this service your best bet will be to contact your local food bank or pantry to check they have what you need. A list of organisations in the borough can be found on the following web page – Community Food Support Network.
We’d like to provide space for a hygiene bank – what do we do?
If you are an organisation that would like to provide space for a hygiene bank within the borough, please email askcommunity@havant.gov.uk in the first instance. A member of the council’s Community Team will then contact you regarding next steps.
