Bunzl Donation Highlights Hygiene Poverty in Norfolk
Hygiene poverty affects 100k+ in Norfolk, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
When we talk to communities across Norfolk about the pressures they face, food is always part of the conversation. But there is an invisible challenge we constantly hear about from communities: being unable to afford everyday hygiene products.
Items such as shampoo, shower gel, deodorant and period products are essential for health, but also wellbeing and confidence. If you can’t get yourself clean, it makes it harder to work, go to school, socialise, or take part in everyday life. Across the UK, it is estimated that 9.2 million people live in hygiene poverty, with around 112,000 living in Norfolk. Yet when household budgets are stretched, community leaders tell us that these are often among the first things people are forced to go without.
“Hygiene poverty is a hidden symptom of the rising cost of living and always something we’ve tried to address through our Nourishing Norfolk warehouse. It’s not as talked about. It comes with so much stigma, so rooted in the impact to your pride and sense of self. It’s about providing access to life essentials that help you stay feeling clean and safe.”
A recent donation of hygiene and personal care products from Bunzl has changed this. Soap, shower gels and shampoo products have been distributed through our Nourishing Norfolk food hubs, helping people maintain dignity during difficult times and reduce some of the pressure on already stretched household budgets.
Sometimes a simple contribution, informed by local insight and delivered through trusted community networks, can make a meaningful difference.
The donation came about through our partnership with Norse Group, which provides warehouse and distribution support for the Nourishing Norfolk network. As part of its commitment to creating social value, Norse spoke with suppliers about how they could support local charities. Bunzl responded by donating a range of essential personal care products for distribution through our food hubs.
If your organisation would like to support communities across Norfolk, we would love to hear from you. Find out more about how Norfolk Community Foundation connects local partners, businesses and communities to address the challenges people are facing today.