Hygiene poverty is a big issue but there is a lot industry professionals can do to help tackle the problem. Salon owner Jennifer Comiskey explains how to set up a beauty bank

A s a beauty salon owner, I felt empowered to do something to help those in desperate situations in my home city Dundee in Scotland. People shouldn’t have to make a choice between feeding their family and buying themselves necessary hygiene and sanitary products.

The beauty industry is often seen as empty and shallow but what we do brings confidence. Being clean is crucial for people’s dignity and mental health, so in November 2018, my salon joined the Beauty Banks community to help make a difference, and have been ever since – even appearing on STV News to help raise awareness of the issue.

How to get involved

A lack of basic hygiene products and toiletries is currently a huge concern for charities that provide support to people in crisis. Beauty Banks is a not-forprofit organisation that seeks to galvanise the beauty community to provide daily hygiene essentials and personal care items to people living in serious poverty.

Beauty Banks has starter kits to get you going and will match you with charities in your area, meaning donations stay local. Your salon will be listed as a Public Beauty Spot – a donation point in a public space – where clients are invited to bring in items. You just need to make sure you have boxes on display in your reception area with the Beauty Banks signage on, as well as posters in the window.

Requirements for a beauty bank

Even though Beauty Banks will help you connect with charities, it’s worth contacting local services you think would benefit from donations too. Each of the places I approached – Trussell Trust Foodbank, Action for Children, schools, refuges and homeless centres – were grateful for the help and advised me on the specific items they needed, so I could make a particular call out to the community if I needed to.

The main items requested by charities are: soap, shower gel, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, sanitary items, shampoo, disposable razors, face wash and baby products.

However, I also accept make-up and other personal care items. I drop the items to the charities or they collect them from the salon (sometimes once a week) – it’s a collaborative relationship.

The challenges

Being involved in the local community in this way is highly rewarding but does come with some small challenges. On occasion, I’ve received items from well-meaning people that are opened or used, but for health and safety reasons we can only accept items in an unused condition. When I receive a used item, I try to recycle it in an eco-friendly way.

Securing donations from clients

To encourage our clients to get involved, I sent an email to our database inviting them to come along to the salon to find out more and drop in items. I also post regularly about the banks on our social media channels and website.

All of a sudden, people were turning up at the salon with donations – some clearing out their cupboards and others picking up an extra bar of soap on their weekly shop and dropping it in when coming in for their appointment.

I’ve worked in the beauty industry since 1992 and I’ve loved every moment, but this has definitely been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done.

PB

Jennifer Comiskey is owner of The Sunflower Room in Dundee, Scotland, which has had a Beauty Bank set-up in salon since 2018.