The link between poverty and poor mental health is well documented, so it is no surprise that the services of MIND in Tameside, Oldham, Glossop and Stockport (TOGS) are in great demand. Situated in Greater Manchester, where a shocking 37% of children and young people are living in poverty*, MIND TOGS supports children, young people, adults and families with a wide range of prevention and therapeutic intervention services relating to mental health.
MIND (TOGS) is a valued Community Partner of The Hygiene Bank (THB) Rochdale and they are proud to support its valuable work by providing much needed hygiene products to those most in need.
Last year THB Rochdale were able to donate 317kg of hygiene products to MIND TOGS. The essential products they continue to provide include soap, toothpaste, shampoo and period products, which are displayed alongside food in an area known as The Pantry.
Clients may choose what they need when they need it – without having to ask. It’s this detail that makes all the difference, with one client commenting:
“You’re not made to feel like a pauper, everyone is so friendly and nice, so I no longer feel embarrassed.”
The cyclical impact of poverty and poor mental health means there’s always a danger of those struggling finding themselves in a downward spiral. When challenged in this way, usual coping strategies are impacted and clients can find they lose their sense of self. Feeling clean and fresh can have a significant contribution towards them finding their way back.
Jill Ridley, who for the past five years has been THB Rochdale’s Project Coordinator, knows better than most the importance of the partnership with MIND TOGS.
“I’m a nurse with 30 years’ experience working in this community. I’ve seen first-hand the struggles to make ends meet. Sometimes people are having to make choices between food, medications and basic essentials. When I heard about The Hygiene Bank, I wanted to get involved to help bridge some of that gap.”
MIND (TOGS) is just one of 17 Community Partners Jill and the team supports through THB Rochdale. Another valued Community Partner is Blue Pits Housing Action. Blue Pits is a personal care and social housing provider, offering preventative and enabling support services around Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton.
Its clients include people with complex mental health conditions, learning disabilities and substance misuse problems. Sadly, for those who Blue Pits serves, good hygiene can feel like a luxury rather than the necessity it is.
A representative from Blue Pits explains:
“Self-neglect is a concern for adults with mental health issues: being able to provide toiletries and cleaning products to someone who would not otherwise purchase them means we can prompt and support them with personal care and self-care. We are so grateful to The Hygiene Bank Rochdale for our partnership.”
Jill is proud to be a part of THB Rochdale and find out more about different organisations in her area:
“Meeting different Community Partners and learning about what they do and how they operate is extremely rewarding. For example, just recently we were able to donate some products to a dementia day care centre. They could offer pampering or even just relaxing products to aid the anxious or distressed.
The feedback we’ve had from recipients is incredible. Hearing about the huge difference our work has had on them is very inspiring! The work never stops – I’m always looking for the next donation.”
If Jill’s story has inspired you to become a volunteer with The Hygiene Bank, and make a real difference in tackling hygiene poverty in your local community, take a look at our website here: https://thehygienebank.com/volunteer/
*Source: The Future We Deserve: Rochdale Borough’s Anti-Poverty Strategy 2024-2029
