A Joint Effort Against Hygiene Poverty in Local Communities

15 December 2020

At this time of year, there is always a great deal of focus on food related initiatives to help support local communities, and indeed at FFT it’s something we are helping with courtesy of funding and support projects with local food banks.

But whilst helping to tackle food poverty is of course absolutely vital, there is another issue that is often overlooked, and that is hygiene poverty.

The Senior Partners at FFT, driven by an idea from Colin Farrell, all agreed that there was something we could do in this respect. And so the washbag idea was born.

Targeting individuals who may be living on the streets or in hostels where access to hygiene essentials like shower gel, shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste would be considered a luxury, our project has seen us produce 1,250 wash bags which are now set to be distributed via a number of our clients into the communities they feel have the most need.

The reusable wash bags, each filled with a toothbrush and toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, deodorant, hand sanitiser and a face mask, will provide a gift of dignity to homeless individuals or deprived families who would otherwise be unable to afford anything but basic essentials.

Clients on board include Optivo, Lewisham Homes, Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, Raven Housing Trust and Diocese of London. Each will receive 250 bags for distribution where they see fit.

Senior Partner Colin Farrell said, “We felt as a Practice that many people and businesses would be funding or supporting food initiatives, as we are, but that we could do something extra to help people feel better in themselves. Feeling fresh and clean gives everyone a boost, and is known to improve mental well-being too. With the help of our clients, we hope that this small gesture can make a difference to those who need it most.” The washbags will be distributed by our clients the week before Christmas.