Lincoln Hygiene Bank - The Centre for Reconciliation

Hygiene poverty is not being able to afford many of the everyday hygiene and personal grooming products most of us take for granted. The reality of low income is that it restricts people’s options, leaving us caught between being able to heat our homes, pay the rent, eat or be clean.

It is struggling to wash your hair because you can’t afford shampoo.
It is not being able to purchase deodorant because money is needed for the electric card.
It is not being able to replace a toothbrush when needed or sharing a toothbrush because one each just isn't an option.
It is being unable to change your baby's nappy as often as is needed and scraping out the contents before reapplying it.
It is washing hair, bodies, faces, and clothes in the same cheap washing up liquid used for the dishes.
It is being housebound because you can’t afford period protection or must improvise with rolled up loo roll and socks.
It is having to choose between shaving foam and razors, or the transport fare to a job interview.
It is going to school with matted hair because there is only one hairbrush in the household and there’s no time for everyone to get a chance to use it.
It is not being able to launder clothes, school uniform and muddy sports kit when needed.
It is being ‘judged’ for living in an unclean home because you can’t afford the cost of household cleaning products.

The Lincoln Hygiene Bank is a local project for the national The Hygiene Bank Charity. Our role is to collect donated personal hygiene and household cleaning products from the community, to put packs together for those who are struggling. Personal hygiene shouldn’t be a luxury.
We have several donation points all over the city of Lincoln. Our list continues to grow, and we always need more places that can help.
Lincoln Hygiene Bank Donation Points

Lincoln Unitarian Chapel (High Street)
University of Lincoln (Witham House, Multi-Faith Chaplaincy)
University of Lincoln Student Union
Bishop Grossteste University
St Peter at Gowt’s Church (December 2022 only)
J & S Plumbing (Whisby Way)
Boots – Carlton Centre, Birchwood, and High Street locations
Lincolnshire Co-op Pharmacies – Hykeham (Newark Road), Hykeham Green, The Forum, Brant Road, and Sincil Street.
Lincoln Dial-A-Ride (Lincoln Central Car Park)
Craftea Café (Melville Street)
Lincoln Central Mosque
Volunteer Centre Services (Lincoln City Hall)

We need a wide range of personal hygiene for all ages and genders, and household cleaning products. We are regularly very short on toothbrushes and toothpaste for adults and children, ladies deodorant, razors, shower gel, children’s body washes and soap, nappies above size 3 (6 and 7 are regular requests), washing up liquid and laundry soap.
We hold regular collection sessions for those who need a hygiene pack. They are:

Lincoln Central Mosque (Dixon Street)
Every Saturday, 1:30pm to 3:30pm
RCCG The Victory Centre (Dixon Way)
Third Thursday of the month, 4pm to 6pm
All Saints Church (Monks Road)
First and Third Tuesdays of the month, 8:30am to 9:30am, 11am to 1pm
Lincoln Unitarian Chapel (High Street)
Second and Fourth (Term-Time) Wednesdays (non term-time Wednesdays can be arranged on request)

We are in search for volunteers to help get regular donations from the community, and volunteers who can help sort donations and put together packs on an ad-hoc basis. If you think that you can help, please get in contact with us.
For more information about the Lincoln Hygiene Bank, please contact us via lincoln@thehygienebank.com. We can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
For more information about combatting hygiene poverty, visit the national Hygiene Bank charity at thehygienebank.com
#everyonedeservestobeclean