Without people like you, there wouldn't be a network of hygiene banks supporting those of us in crisis across the UK. We’ll provide you with all the tools, training and know-how required for your role so that people in your town can break free from the constraints of hygiene poverty.
Volunteering is an empowering, social experience that gives you the opportunity to make a real and tangible difference to those struggling with the stigma of hygiene poverty in your community. Watch the video above to get a feel for what the role entails. Whether you can commit a few days a week, or a few hours a month, your support can make a real difference. Volunteers must:
- Be aged 18 or over
- Read all our policies (links can be found on the website footer)
- Read the Overview to Volunteering Guide
- Be prepared to email a copy of ID - proof of address (recent utility bill) and either passport or drivers license
What volunteering roles are there?
Set up a new Hygiene Bank in your area
This role involves setting up a new grassroots community Hygiene Bank Project in your local area.....
Your new project can be run as part of an existing business, or community organisation or as a standalone project. We recommend getting a team of at least three together to start a project. This may be a group of friends, family members, colleagues or newly met individuals. Usually one person is nominated as project coordinator to oversee and as the main point of contact - Together the team run the project by setting up drop off points, collecting/sorting donations and delivering them to local community partners who apply or you connect with. You can also participate in additional activities such as social media, fundraising and engaging in community activities to raise awareness of the charity and your local giving. Setting up a hygiene bank is a unique opportunity to gain a whole range of skills and experience, make new friends and gain the satisfaction of leading and working in a team that makes a real difference in your community. Running a project can be an empowering experience and an opportunity to connect with people to make positive changes locally and nationally.
All of our grassroots projects are self-funded, with our support - We advise teams to fundraise a set-up contribution after sign-up to spend on their projects. All funds raised locally can be used to benefit your local community. Your fundraised funds help towards the costs of initial kit, hygiene product donations and other marketing needs. This contribution can be raised before sign-up via fundraising or afterwards, with support from Head Office.
Inheriting a grassroots project
From time to time, our well cared for projects need to be handed on to a new team or a new coordinator. Have you seen a request for new coordinators via your local team, and can you help us to keep our established grassroots projects up and running?.......
Volunteer with an existing Hygiene Bank Project
First step is to locate and contact your local Hygiene Bank project coordinator to have an initial chat about how you can support them locally and become part of the team. A volunteer role can be tasks like setting up additional drop offs, growing the project, collecting, sorting or delivering donations to community partners or maybe social media or fundraising and grant applications. You may have a unique skill set to offer to make your mark on the project. Volunteering for The Hygiene Bank is a flexible role that can fit around your current commitments so you choose when to complete your tasks.
Contact details for each project are listed here Once you have made contact and are ready to join, fill out the application form below, (making a note on your application of which team you will be joining) and we will guide you through the on-boarding process, which is completion of a simple form, reading our policies and handbooks, plus attendance at our short induction meeting online.
Have you noticed a plea for new volunteers via your local Hygiene Bank project, or have you spoken to the team about joining?....
Boots Store Support
We will be extending our roll-out with Boots UK. This role involves being your local Boots Store primary liaison, picking up donations from our Collection Bin and delivering them locally. You may be working as part of an existing Hygiene Bank Project or be working independently. If working independently, you will need to set up a project initially, and be willing to act as a coordinator for your area (see details above).
Compassion and justice are values that underpin our society. We believe in helping each other out when we’re having a tough time and that is the model of The Hygiene Bank. A grass roots community initiative helping those in that same community that are struggling.
Volunteering FAQs
1How do I find out about volunteering opportunities at my local Hygiene Bank?
Contact the project directly using the details on the 'Find your Local Project' page (Project coordinator emails are listed) or you can register your interest by filling out the enquiries form in the footer of the website or completing out volunteer application for and we will introduce you to your local coordinator.
2My local area doesn't have a Hygiene Bank project, how can I help?
You can start a new project in your area. Please read everything that is involved. You will need to come with forming a team in mind. If you'd like to move this forward, please fill in our application form to start a grassroots project.
All of our grassroots projects are self-funded - we advise teams to fundraise a set-up contribution after sign-up to spend on their projects. This helps towards the costs of initial printing, delivering, kit, hygiene product and assets. This contribution can be raised before sign-up via fundraising or afterwards, with support from us here at Head Office.
3I’ve contacted my local Hygiene Bank and haven’t received a reply.
At certain times of year, our banks can be extremely busy with influxes of donations. Our grassroots projects run entirely on volunteers with no members of staff. If you haven’t heard back within a couple of weeks then please forward your email to admin@thehygienebank.com and our central head office team will connect you with our local Project Coordinator.
4What support will I get as a volunteer?
Every volunteer will have someone they report into. This is usually their Project Coordinator. This person will help induct you into your role, answer any queries you may have while volunteering and support you if any problems occur. Volunteers will receive training that is relevant to their role. This will be locally delivered or delivered on-line.
5Do you reimburse expenses?
If you are volunteering for us we will reimburse expenses in line with our Volunteer Expenses Policy detailed in our Handbook. Please check with us directly before commencing your role.
6Will volunteering affect my benefits?
If you are in receipt of benefits, including means-tested benefits, you are fully entitled to volunteer for as many hours as you wish, as long as you continue to keep to the rules or conditions for getting that benefit.
For example, if you are in receipt of Jobseekers’ Allowance, you are fully entitled to volunteer as long as you meet the conditions of your claim (e.g. remain available for and actively seeking a full time paid job etc.) Or if you are receiving Carers’ Allowance, you need to continue to provide at least 35 hours a week of care to the person who is receiving the disability benefit. For Jobseekers’ Allowance, Carers’ Allowance and Income Support, you should inform the Jobcentre Plus office that you are volunteering.
7Are there any age restrictions?
For the majority of roles, volunteers must by over 18 years old. There may be opportunities for volunteers under 18, for example such as sorting and packing. We have had Duke of Edinburgh award volunteers and Girl Guides. Volunteers that are under 18 must receive permission from their parent or guardian before starting their role.
8Can I volunteer if I have a criminal record?
A criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from volunteering, but we may need to make an assessment of any risks both to you the volunteer and to others. The nature of the offence, how long ago it was committed and its relevance to the volunteer role will be considered. Anyone with a caution or conviction for a sexual offence will not be able to volunteer.
9What if I have a physical or learning disability?
We are committed to embracing diversity and promoting equality and inclusion. As a volunteer, you can expect to be treated fairly regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, parental or marital status, disability, religion, colour, race, ethnic or national origins or socio-economic background. Please let us know if there are any health conditions or additional needs we may need to know about that could impact your volunteering in order for us to best support you to carry out your role.
10Are there set times or days when I need to volunteer?
Our volunteering roles are really flexible. If you are volunteering with an existing team, you can let your coordinator know your preferred times and days or take ownership of an aspect of the project and work ad hoc to suit your life and commitments.
11How much time does running a project take up?
If you are running your own project, you can manage the size and coverage to suit the time you have - A smaller grassroots project may only need a couple of hours a week, a larger grassroots project setup may need much more time and commitment.
You can also ask other people to get involved to reduce time required. We welcome both small and larger projects across the UK.
Remember you will need to routinely complete a small amount of admin and reporting back to head office via simple forms at the end of each month in addition to collecting, sorting and delivering your donations. (If you decide to run social media and fundraising, these aspects will then need additional time.)