A Helping Hand with Hygiene
Families accessing BCHC services at Lime Tree Family Hub in Handsworth have been able to get free toiletries through BCHC Charity, thanks to a Warburtons community grant.
Family Hubs support young people aged 0-19, and up to 25 if they have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), offering a variety of early help services and advice by bringing together a range of professionals and organisations. The children are referred to the centres by their Health Visitor or school if they have difficulties with their development, and some families visit the centre for advice and support to flee domestic violence.
Sarah Sandhu, Children's Services Lead at Lime Tree hub, came to the charity with the idea of setting up an emergency toiletry bank at the centre, telling us that “families are having to make the decision between buying food or toiletries”. Handsworth has the 12th lowest average income out of the 69 wards in the city, and poor oral health is a significant problem amongst the children as some families lack the ability to provide essential toiletries that most people take for granted.
The toiletry bank was stocked with toothbrushes, toothpaste, nappies and nappy sacks, shampoo, conditioner, baby wipes, baby bath, nappy rash cream, and more, with each family able to access around £5 worth of toiletries as needed. Having toothbrushes and toothpaste on site also helps BCHC colleagues at the centre to educate children and their families about teeth cleaning and the problems associated with poor dental hygiene, to ultimately improve children's chances in life.
Having access to free, essential toiletries has also had the benefit of comforting parents when they are worried about their finances. Anita Chauhan, who works at the hub, says, “We cannot describe just how useful the toiletries have been. We give out items every other day to those who need them. Thank you to the Warburton's Community Grants for making this possible.”