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The group aims to address the issue of hygiene poverty. The aim to do this by carrying out a hygiene product collection over the month of May. The group will have drop off points in local businesses, where members of the public can donation hygiene products that the group will then offer to community groups in the area who work with vulnerable people such as the youth club, the local family resource centre, SVP and the Ukrainian Support Worker.
Our Social Issue
We identified poverty with a particular focus on hygiene poverty as our social issue. From researching poverty in Ireland we discovered that hygiene poverty was a real issue for lots of families. 41% of people surveyed in an Irish study in 2022 had said they had gone without hygiene products due to their financial situation. We wanted to ensure that people in the area were aware of hygiene poverty and also provide those in need with essential items.
Who We Worked With
So far we have worked with local shops in the town, this included approaching them and explaining our project and asking them if we could use their premises as a drop off point. We also have been in touch with the Hygiene Bank Ireland to explaining our project. Once we collect the items at the end of May we will be in touch with local organisations that we have already identified who work with people in need.
How We Communicated
We went to three local pharmacy's and the local supervalue to ask permission to set up collection points to donate hygiene products for the community and surrounding area. We also promoted this online through the youth clubs social media accounts. The social media account had posters up explaining the project, where the drop of points where and also some information on a national organisation "Hygiene Bank Ireland" who aim to end hygiene poverty.
Our Innovative Action and Impact
We set up collection points for people that need hygiene products in our local area. Currently there are 4 collection points in the area which include two local pharmacies, supervalue and the youth centre that we attend. Once we gather the products at the end of May we will sort the items in different categories and donate them to local organisations who work with people in need. The organisations we have identified include SVP, the local family resource centre, the Ukrainian support worker in the area and also the youth centre. We have also discussed maybe donating some to the school we attend. Hygiene Bank Ireland have also offered to take items from us that they can redistribute.