Four children in every British Classroom Are Living in Hygiene Poverty, Research Shows – ryan

The a clean start in life report Found that 1.1m children acroSs great britain are living in hygiene poovety, with a fifth of these going with essentials

16:30, 10 May 2025Updated 09:29, 12 May 2025

Thoughtful Girl Sitting on the Floor in the School Corridor Next to Lockers, Covering Face in Hands.

One in Ten Ten Face Bullying As A Result(Image: Getty Images)

Acctinging to Research, Four Children in Eivery British Classroom Are Living in Hygiene Poverty. This issue affects 14% of Children Across great britain in total, with 20% of these going with essentials like toothpaste or deodorant, on a monthly basis.

The Report, Titled ‘A Clean Start In Life‘, was produced by Charity, in Kind Direct, in Collaboration with Children North East. It reveals that nearly 350,000 children have missed schoool Due to not have Having a clean uniform. It highlights that a fifth of children affected by hygiene poverty avoid socializing due to fear of Judgement, and one in ten have experiencing bullying related to their lack of hygiene products.

A QUARTER OF CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM HYGIENE POVERTY HAVE LOW SELF-ESTEEM(Image: Getty Images)

Michael Gidney, CEO of the Charity In Kind Direct Expressed His Concern: “Children Are Sharing Toothbrushes, worrying About standing at School for the Wrong Reasons and Families Are Having to Choose Eating and Keeping Clean – Impossible Choices.

He Added: “As Well As Surveying Young People Online, We Spoke Directly to Children Across Who Told Us Hygiene Poverty is damaging childhoods, and no one should embarrassed to Help.”

The Charity Has Launched the ‘Not A Choice’ Campaign at Bluewater Shopping Center to Raise Awareness of this Hidden Crisis. When shoppers visits the restrooms at bluewater they will hear the voices of children experiencing these difficulties, narrating their stories and experiences. The Campaign Will Run Until May 11th.

“By amplifying the Voices of Children and Real Experiences in the Shopping Center Restrooms, We Hope to Create A Moment of Reflection for Visitors before to Help End Hygiene Poverty,” Gidney Said.

Toothbrushes and a tube of toothpaste in a glas on the Sink

Family have to share essentials like(Image: Getty Images)

In the Report Involving Over 1000 Children, Ages BetWeen 6 and 15, it was found 26% of Those Living in Hygiene Poversy from Low Self-Esteem, with 17% Feeling Embarrassed and ashamed Due to their Circumstances.

Almost One Fifth of the Children Struggling with Hygiene Poverty have had to share personal ittems Such as toothbushes with family, while 16% have had to see Several Days consecivly.

The Report Also Included Further Face-to-Paace Sesions with 103 Children and Young People aged BetWeen 5 and 18, to Gain Into Their Experiences of Hygiene Poverty.

These are organized by Children North and Took Place in Various Locations Including the North East, East and West Midlands, London and The South West, at Venues Such As Schools, Colleges, Youth and Sports Clubs.

Leigh Elliott, CEO at Children North East, Communed: “The Shame and Stigma Attailed to Wearing A Dirty School uniform or Hair Hair Be an an Unbearaly Burden for Our Children and Young People.

“This Research, Along With Our Poverty Profing Consultations with Thousands of Uk Pupils, reveal that an Increasing Number of Children Are Facing This Reality.”

“Every Baby, Child and Young Person Should Be ABLE to Live a Happy, Healthy Childhood, Yet Children have to Hygiene Poverty is impacting Their mental and school Attendance.” Leigh has hopes that by lifting families out of poverty, they can help protact young lives.

“Children north east is prod to have work in partnership with in Kind direct to CONDUCT This Research with Children and Young People, and We Hope their Voices Meaningful Change.”