One Toothbrush at a Time: A Vicar’s Mission to End Hygiene Poverty in the UK

“We’re seeing young people and their families using washing-up liquid to wash, and some can’t even brush their teeth,” Rev Mottershead told Premier. “Oral hygiene issues alone are causing missed school days, and many children are withdrawing from after-school activities and social interactions.”

In the heart of the City of London, Rev Nick Mottershead is spearheading a mission to eradicate hygiene poverty—a growing crisis that affects nearly one in five UK adults. As priest in charge of Holy Sepulchre London, Rev Mottershead coordinates the City of London Hygiene Bank, which provides essential hygiene products such as toothpaste, deodorant, and shower gel to over 20,000 families.

The issue of hygiene poverty has worsened significantly in recent years. According to a new report from the charity In Kind Direct, nearly a million more adults in the UK are experiencing hygiene poverty compared to last year, with a quarter of affected households including children. The inability to afford basic personal care items has far-reaching consequences, particularly for young people.

“We’re seeing young people and their families using washing-up liquid to wash, and some can’t even brush their teeth,” Rev Mottershead told Premier. “Oral hygiene issues alone are causing missed school days, and many children are withdrawing from after-school activities and social interactions.”

The City of London Hygiene Bank doesn’t directly distribute these essential items but works with schools, agencies, and frontline charities to reach those most in need. Over the past five years, the hygiene bank has donated 36 tonnes of products, with 11 tonnes already delivered this year.

The vicar’s campaign is not without significant support. Many corporate businesses and individuals contribute by packing hygiene items into tote bags, which are then given to schools, domestic abuse shelters, disability charities, and cancer support groups. The overarching message: restoring dignity through something as simple as access to basic hygiene.

In London alone, nearly three-quarters of a million people live in poverty, but Rev Mottershead offers a glimmer of hope. “It can seem like a huge problem,” he says, “but let’s solve it one toothbrush, one tote bag, one family at a time. Together, we can make a difference.”

For those in crisis, these acts of kindness send a powerful message of care and dignity. “Again and again, I hear stories of how these small gestures remind people that someone cares,” Rev Mottershead shared. His mission is clear—through collective action, hygiene poverty can be eradicated, restoring not only cleanliness but a sense of worth and belonging to those in need.