Four in five young adults aged 18–24 affected by hygiene poverty have
delayed or missed a career opportunity because they couldn’t access basic hygiene products.
New research from The Hygiene Bank and Boots shows that this often‑overlooked barrier to employment is becoming a growing crisis, at a time when young people are already facing one of the toughest job markets seen in recent years.
When living in hygiene poverty, the cost of being ‘work‑ready’ creates impossible choices: deodorant, toothpaste, period products and shampoo for a job interview, or paying the electricity bill and feeding your family? Hygiene poverty is a silent but powerful opportunity blocker: 74% of people believe job seekers are judged first on their appearance, before their skills and talents.
This is why we have come together with Boots and The King’s Trust to create 15,000 ‘First Impressions’ kits – washbags filled with the essentials that a young person needs before an interview, including deodorant, shampoo, shower gel and dental products.
These kits will be distributed through THB Community Partners and King’s Trust centres, reaching young people who are actively seeking work but are being held back by the cost of basic hygiene products.
Karishma Vijay, winner of this year’s BBC The Apprentice and CEO of Kishkin, is supporting the initiative. She shares her personal experience:
“I grew up with a single mum, and even as a young girl I knew we were struggling to make ends meet. My mum always taught me that material things come and go, but she made sure we were clean and presentable because she knew opportunity doesn’t always come knocking and looking the part could make a difference. Hygiene poverty plays a massive role in why people can’t improve their situation. They can’t get into the rooms that could change their lives because they already feel like everyone else has a head start.”
James Speakman/PA Media Assignments
Ruth Brock, CEO of The Hygiene Bank, highlights the urgency:
“Going without or substituting products — washing up liquid used as shampoo, rolled up tissue instead of period products — all contribute to the shame people tell us they feel. This isn’t just causing acute misery; it’s blocking opportunities and limiting life chances. These kits from Boots are a vital and exciting next step to help young people feel ready for the workplace — and ready for a brighter tomorrow.”
Anna Harland, Director of Corporate Affairs at Boots, said:
“We recognise that there is a serious youth employment issue in the UK, and entering the job market is already challenging. Hygiene poverty is often hidden, but its impact reaches far beyond the bathroom, so we’re proud to partner with The Hygiene Bank and The King’s Trust to highlight this important issue.”
Jonathan Townsend, UK Chief Executive of The King’s Trust, added:
“Many of the young people we support who are out of work face barriers that go beyond finding the right opportunity or job. At The King’s Trust, we empower them to build the confidence, skills and experience to move forward, but without access to basic hygiene products, some will still be held back from taking that next step.”
A partnership built on dignity
This initiative builds on six years of partnership between The Hygiene Bank and Boots, which has already delivered nearly two million hygiene products to people experiencing hygiene poverty. Boots customers have also donated over 160 tonnes of hygiene products through in‑store drop‑off points around the UK.
How you can help
Until 25th August, everyone shopping in-store or online at Boots.com can help provide essential products to people who need them most. Every purchase of participating brands including Vaseline, Tampax, Always, Oral‑B and Sanex will be matched with a product donation from Boots’ supplier partners Unilever, Procter & Gamble and Colgate, with over 500,000 products pledged.
First impressions matter. Everyone deserves the chance to make one. We can make sure hygiene poverty never stands in the way.
