Every child has the right to return to school feeling clean

Over the past 18 months, COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on the finances of many UK families as they look to juggle the everyday costs of family living. Now that the new school year has begun, many are finding they’re struggling to afford basic toiletries. 

A survey of teachers commissioned by Boots and The Hygiene Bank, a charity that stresses that being clean is a basic human right, has revealed that 69 percent of teachers across the UK have observed poor hygiene as a result of hygiene poverty and believe this situation has worsened as a result of the pandemic. Nearly three-quarters have taught students experiencing body odor or attending school in unwashed clothes. 

“The results of this survey highlight the extent of this issue and show just how important this partnership is,” says Alexandra Burke, performer and ambassador for the Boots and The Hygiene Bank partnership. “Growing up, I went to school with lots of children who didn’t have access to hygiene essentials, so I saw first-hand the effect that it can have. This is why I’m proud to be a part of this partnership, and I urge everyone to do their part and help tackle the issue of hygiene poverty.”

Boots believes every child has the right to feel good and have access to the hygiene products they need as they return to the classroom. Working with The Hygiene Bank, Boots is promoting its “You donate = We donate” initiative which sees Boots donate four products for every 1kg of products donated in-store. And to help tackle this growing issue, Boots now has more than 400 donation points across Boots stores in the UK, making it even easier for customers to get involved.