Back to School: Help us tackle Hygiene Poverty

Back to School is a key part of our Schools For Good programme. Every year, we respond to the changing needs we're seeing across our charity partner network. This year, we're asking for your help to tackle one of the biggest unmet needs we're seeing across the UK: access to essential toiletries and hygiene products.

Why this year's focus matters

• 1 in 7 children lacks access to basic hygiene products.
• £40 million spent by teachers each year on essentials for pupils.

Preparing for a new school year has always meant buying school uniforms, shoes and stationery. Today, for many families, it also means finding the money for everyday toiletries and hygiene products.
The impact reaches far beyond the bathroom. Research shows that hygiene poverty is affecting children's confidence, self-esteem and wellbeing, contributing to bullying, social isolation and poorer school attendance. At the same time, teachers are spending an estimated £40 million of their own money each year providing basic hygiene products for pupils.

Through our own charity partner network, we're seeing the same picture. Toiletries and hygiene products are among the hardest items for us to source, despite being needed throughout the school year.
That's why they're at the heart of this year's Back to School appeal.

This year's priority items

While school uniforms and stationery remain an important part of this work, this year we're placing particular focus on toiletries and hygiene products. Everyday items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant and period products can play an important role in confidence, attendance and participation throughout the school year. Please note we can only accept NEW and UNOPENED items:

• Tampons and sanitary pads
• Deodorant (male and female types)
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Shower gel / body wash (male and female types)
• Body lotion / moisturiser
• Face wash

The quickest and easiest way to support this year's Back to School appeal is through our wishlist. Simply choose the items you'd like to donate and they'll be delivered directly to Goods For Good, ready for distribution through our charity partner network.

Donate toiletries

How you can support Back to School

There are several ways you can support our Back to School initiative this year:

Donate toiletries through our wish-list

We partner with For Common Good to make donating as simple as possible. Think of it as a gift registry for good causes. We list the items we need most, you choose what you'd like to donate, and they're delivered directly to Goods For Good.

You don't pay for postage, only the products you choose. Better still, the platform also helps reduce unnecessary packaging and waste, making it a simple and sustainable way to give.

Donate toiletries

Organise a collection

Bring your workplace, school, community group or local organisation together by organising a Back to School collection.

We've created a downloadable poster showing this year's priority items to help you promote your collection. Once you've finished, simply arrange a delivery to our Croxley Park facility.

If you'd like support planning your collection, we'd love to help. Email:  info@goodsforgood.org.uk

Download poster

Make a donation

Financial donations help us collect, sort, store and distribute essential goods to charity partners across the UK.

Every donation helps us get more practical support to the children and young people who need it most.

Make a donation

Arrange delivery

If you live in Watford or the surrounding area, simply email us to arrange a convenient time to drop off your donation. 

If you're further afield, download our free postage label, attach it to your parcel and send your donation via your local Post Office or courier.

Download packaging label 

Get In Touch

For more information on how you can support Schools For Good, please contact us by emailing: info@goodsforgood.org.uk