National Hygiene Week

National Hygiene Week is a dedicated initiative aimed at promoting good hygiene practices and raising awareness about the importance of personal and public hygiene, and creating conversations about the hygiene poverty crisis in the UK.

Hygiene is not just about looking clean, it is about looking after our health and preventing the spread of diseases, this includes personal health, food safety, environmental hygiene and infection control.

Personal care and hygiene is important to control the spread of infections and prioritise cleanliness in daily routines, to benefit not just individuals but the people around them. Those who don’t have the means to access hygiene products can be held back from fully participating and contributing to society. It can affect confidence and leave those affected feeling isolated, excluded, shamed, bullied and humiliated. It impacts mental and physical health and reduces opportunities for education, training or employment

Some statistics around hygiene poverty in the UK:

• 3.1 Million adults in the UK are affected - being unable to access the basic items needed to keep clean, such as shower gel, soap, toothbrushes or sanitary protection.

• 48% (almost half) of those experiencing hygiene poverty were too embarrassed to ask for help.

Types of personal hygiene include:

• Handwashing - with soap and water to stop germs from spreading and keep nails clean

• Washing your hair and body - to prevent infections and body lice, especially underarms and genitals

• Period hygiene - keeping clean to stop infections, reduce odours and stay comfortable

• Oral hygiene - brush and floss twice daily to prevent tooth decay and gum disease

• Skin care - shower or bath regularly to get rid of the bacteria on skin to stop body odour

• Covering your mouth - to stop the spread of germs, cover the mouth when coughing or sneezing

At the Colte Partnership we offer free period products within our branches to help tackle period poverty in the community. Look in your branch toilets or speak with a member of the reception team.