Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Social Justice

Changemakers: Beauty Banks is solving hygiene poverty

With austerity hitting hard, Beauty Banks was established to fight hygiene poverty by redistributing cosmetics and hygiene products to charity

Beauty Banks

This week’s Changemakers Top 100 special edition features the world’s leading thinkers, shakers and agitators. Throughout the week we’ll be highlighting just a few online.

Beauty Banks was launched by journalist Sali Hughes and global director of beauty for PR firm The Communications Store, Jo Jones, last year. A charity running on a foodbank model, donations of essential care and cosmetic products are collected, repackaged and redistributed to charities who can ensure they end up in the hands of people who will benefit most.

Frustrated by seeing increasing waste and excessive luxury within the industry, Hughes and Jones set up the organisation, fighting hygiene poverty while many hit by austerity and Universal Credit have to choose between cleanliness and food.

Beauty Banks has also linked up with online cash-and-carry Easho to allow people to donate remotely – by buying products online to be sent straight to the charity. This year they want to encourage others to set up similar projects in their communities, meanwhile expanding their network of ‘beauty spot’ donation drop-off points across the country. To donate head to easho.co.uk/beauty-bank

Read the full article in this week's Big Issue.
Find your vendor
Sir Chris Hoy

Image: Sali Hughes

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Do you know how Big Issue 'really' works?

Watch this simple explanation.

Recommended for you

View all
Burnham says carers should be 'the best paid people in society'. Here's how much they actually earn
Prime minister Andy Burnham meets a woman in a visit to Jewish Care in Golders Green
social care

Burnham says carers should be 'the best paid people in society'. Here's how much they actually earn

Access to Work cuts lock disabled actor out of her career: 'Will I ever be on stage again?'
Actor Renu Arora has seen her Access to Work payments cut
Social Justice

Access to Work cuts lock disabled actor out of her career: 'Will I ever be on stage again?'

In the occupied West Bank, a child is killed every week. When did that become acceptable?
UNICEF UK CEO Dr Philip Goodwin visited the community of Um El Kheir Village south of the WB with UNICEF State of Palestine, meeting children and hearing about the challenges they face
Dr Philip Goodwin

In the occupied West Bank, a child is killed every week. When did that become acceptable?

It's 15 years since Amy Winehouse died. Here's how her legacy is helping women overcome addiction
Current and former residents of Amy's Place
Social Justice

It's 15 years since Amy Winehouse died. Here's how her legacy is helping women overcome addiction