83 - Working with SWWOP to create a Hygiene Bank

Today we can tell you about donation number 83, which is £500 to the amazing charity SWWOP (Sheffield Working Women's Opportunities Project) to help them kick start a new Hygiene Bank. Their team provides intensive support to vulnerable women involved in street prostitution. Rosie at SWWOP told us how the cost-of-living crisis is having a major impact on their client group. Whilst the cost of food and fuel is rocketing - they have noticed more and more women presenting to their service asking for items to help keep themselves and their homes clean. Hygiene poverty is a growing issue across the UK with 1/5 of the population currently experiencing it. They have witnessed women make the choice between money for the gas meter or money for shower gel and shampoo. On top of the cost-of-living crisis and the impact this is having on hygiene poverty - they also think this is an important time to highlight 'PINK TAX'. Pink tax refers to the profit maximising techniques, adopted by companies based on psychological trends to promote the sale of products marketed toward female consumers at substantially higher prices than those promoted to male consumers. The aim for the Hygiene Bank is to take some stress away from their clients in the current climate by providing them with a monthly package of basic hygiene products. In these packs, they will include - soap, shower gel, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, and conditioner, washing powder, washing up liquid, and anti-bacterial spray/wipes. Do have a look at the incredible work SWWOP are doing in Sheffield. https://www.swwop.org/our-work/ "SWWOP would like to thank 500 together for your support with our campaign and use this opportunity to express how grateful we are to supporters of 500 together for their ongoing donations which help the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our city. " We agree! Your support and your nominations mean we are helping more and more varied causes in our area. Thank you so much.