A new survey has revealed that more than half of people in the West Midlands would feel embarrassed to ask a charity or food bank for hygiene products if they needed them. The research, conducted by The Hygiene Bank and In Kind Direct, also found that 20 per cent of people in the region have gone without toiletries, hygiene products or cleaning products in the past six months because they could not afford them.
The national picture is equally stark. The charities estimate that 9.6 million adults in the UK experienced period poverty in the last six months. The figures underline a growing crisis that campaigners say is no longer a marginal issue.
Regional impact and key products
In a poll of 295 people in the West Midlands, The Hygiene Bank recorded that 83 per cent agreed that hygiene products are items people should not have to live without. The research highlighted the most commonly skipped items: toilet roll (47 per cent), deodorant (43 per cent) and shampoo and conditioner (39 per cent).
These everyday essentials are being sacrificed as household budgets tighten, forcing families to make difficult choices between basic hygiene and other costs.
Stigma and the call for policy change
The survey found that 56 per cent of West Midlands respondents would feel embarrassed to ask for support from a charity or food bank to access hygiene products. This stigma, charities warn, prevents many from seeking help even when they desperately need it.
In addition, 58 per cent of people in the region agreed that government policies should do more to ensure everyone can afford hygiene products, even if that means raising taxes. This indicates strong public support for systemic change rather than relying solely on charitable handouts.
Charities call for long-term solutions
Ruth Brock, CEO of The Hygiene Bank, said the threat of hygiene poverty is “growing” and is “no longer a hidden or marginal issue.” She described the crisis as “wrecking lives” and “damaging life chances” in a passionate analysis of the issue.
Brock added: “Our work continues to sit at the intersection of immediate crisis response and long-term systemic change. That means getting essential products to people who need them today, while also working towards a future where that support is no longer needed.”
Both The Hygiene Bank and In Kind Direct flagged the “vicious cycle” of hygiene poverty in their data. The charities explained how the issue can damage both mental and physical health, undermining confidence and leading to social isolation, missed work, and lost educational and other opportunities. The findings highlight an urgent need for both immediate relief and lasting policy solutions.
