Lincoln Hygiene Bank Secures Support from City of Lincoln Council to Tackle Hidden Hygiene Poverty

Lincoln Hygiene Bank is proud to announce official funding and support from the City of Lincoln Council — a major step forward in addressing hygiene poverty across the local community.

While there were hopes the cost-of-living crisis might ease, many are still facing increasing prices, rising taxes, and difficult choices between essentials. Conversations around fuel and food poverty have become more common, but hygiene poverty — affecting one in four people in the UK — remains less visible, yet equally urgent.

With support from the City of Lincoln Council, we can now respond more effectively to this growing need. Basic hygiene items such as nappies, deodorant, shampoo, sanitary products and cleaning supplies are often sacrificed when budgets are tight. But these are not luxuries — they are essential to health, dignity, and day-to-day wellbeing.

No one should have to face judgement for unwashed hair, go without basic toiletries, or worry about keeping their baby clean and dry. Thanks to this important funding, Lincoln Hygiene Bank will continue to provide vital support, raise awareness, and help restore dignity to those in need across our city.

Martin Walmsley, Assistant Director – Shared Revenues and Benefits, said:“I am delighted that we are able to fund Lincoln Hygiene Bank’s vital work through the City of Lincoln Council’s share of the Government’s Household Support Fund. Households are still grappling with a wide range of cost-of-living challenges, and we aim to provide support and guidance wherever possible. Further information is available on our website (Cost of Living Support – City of Lincoln Council), and printed leaflets are available on request.

”Cllr Lucinda Preston, Portfolio Holder for Reducing Inequality at City of Lincoln Council, added: “I’m very pleased the council can help support Lincoln Hygiene Bank’s important efforts using our allocation of the Household Support Fund. We recognise the many pressures facing households and are committed to providing meaningful support wherever we can.”

Lincoln Hygiene Bank is committed to ensuring no one in our community has to choose between hygiene and other basic needs. This partnership marks a positive step toward that goal.