Last September, Beauty Banks saw 80% rise in demand for donations as kids returned to schools. In order to cut back to school costs this year, Superdrug has launched its ‘Back to School Give Back’ campaign
High street retailer Superdrug is working hard to ensure hygiene poverty is continually tackled throughout the cost-of-living crisis and beyond. Now, it has launched a ‘Back to School Give Back’ to ensure young people are prepared, and comfortable, in classrooms this September.
Beauty Banks has already seen a 90% increase in demand since the beginning of the year, as hygiene poverty in the UK increases, and this figure is only set to increase come September as parents and guardians seek essential toiletries for young people. The charity has already seen an unprecedented rise in requests for toiletries suitable for babies and children and well as items needed for teen/adolescent boys. Items currently most in need are deodorant, face washes, and toothpastes for young people.
In order to tackle the evident hygiene poverty, Superdrug has pledged to donate 5000 products to Beauty Banks as part of its ongoing collaboration.
On the initiative, Jo Jones, Co-Founder of Beauty Banks said: ‘Families face the burden of redirecting funds towards their children’s education-related expenses, leaving them in need of additional support for essential items. The generous donations from Superdrug will significantly aid the families we assist, alleviating the difficult choice between school supplies and basic hygiene essentials.’
The initiative launch comes after a study from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) found that the ‘annual price tag for going to secondary school was £1,756 per child’ in 2022, with costs undoubtedly increasing this year due to the rising cost of living.
‘We want to support families and communities as much as we can and understand that with the current cost of living the number of people living in hygiene poverty is increasing,’ started Jamie Archer, Own Brand Director at Superdrug, before saying: ‘We hope our donation of 5,000 products can help those that require the support at this time and we urge anyone that can to continue to donate hygiene products to Beauty Banks at any of our 100 in-store donation points.’