Free hygiene products available from Wrekin's Stirchley and Wellington hubs

The Wrekin Housing Group has partnered with The Hygiene Bank in Telford to offer free personal hygiene products to those who are struggling to afford them.

Items including shower gel, toothpaste and deodorant are now available to those in need from Wrekin's hubs in Stirchley and Wellington.

The two organisations hope that keeping supplies at accessible locations will help the vital service reach more people.

Products are available for anyone in the community who needs them – not just Wrekin customers.

Items can include a wide range of toiletries, feminine hygiene products, and baby products.

Deb Morrison, Wrekin’s Financial Inclusion Manager, said: “We know many people in our communities are facing incredibly tough times and finding it harder to afford these essentials.

“Access to hygiene products should never be a barrier to living with dignity.

“By working with The Hygiene Bank, we’re making it easier for people to access these products and reduce the stigma often associated with asking for help.”

The Hygiene Bank’s own research has found that 4.2 million people are living with hygiene poverty across the UK.

Over two thirds of people affected by hygiene poverty say it has impacted their mental health.

The Hygiene Bank’s Telford Co-ordinator Simon Lellow said: “Hygiene poverty is a hidden crisis affecting people of all ages, and can contribute to social isolation and loneliness, negatively impacting people’s mental health. It can also lead to absence from school or work.

“We hope that working with Wrekin to make free products more accessible will make a meaningful impact in tackling this problem in our borough.”

You can access supplies from the Hygiene Bank at the Wrekin Housing Group’s Hubs in Grange Avenue, Stirchley, TF3 1ET, and Tank Bank, Wellington, TF1 1HE.

You can make an appointment with your local housing team or drop in during opening hours – 9am to 1pm on Mondays and Tuesdays in Stirchley, or Thursdays and Fridays in Wellington. You can ask for a private room to discuss your needs with a member of staff.

Alternatively you can contact the Hygiene Bank by emailing telford@thehygienebank.com or calling 07792192801.

11th December 2024