Our story
Hello!
Following the COVID-19 pandemic and a growing cost-of-living crisis, we saw a pressing need to bridge the gap between charitable giving and reduced resources.
Our solution? A sustainable approach rooted in repurposing. Instead of asking for more, we tapped into what many already have—unopened gift sets, travel-size toiletries from hotels, and other unused products often left forgotten. From this simple idea, our mission was born: to create meaningful impact while minimising the burden of giving.
While our initial vision included accepting lightly-used items under strict guidelines, safety considerations have led us to focus exclusively on new and unused products for now. But we remain hopeful that this can evolve in the future.
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59%
Of UK adults feel embarrassed to ask for support for hygiene poverty from a charity or foodbank.⁵
40%
Of UK Adults would feel uncomfortable talking to their friends or family if they couldn't afford hygiene products.⁶
Our values
Sustainable
We are committed to building a sustainable future, where communities and the planet can prosper. We prioritise sustainability in all aspects of our work, striving to minimise our environmental impact and promote responsible practices.
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Accountable
We are committed to ensuring that all resources generously entrusted to us are used effectively and efficiently to maximise our impact. We are deeply committed to transparency, responsibility, integrity, and upholding ethical standards so that we remain accountable and committed to the communities we serve, our supporters, donors, and board. Wherever possible we will endeavour to share our progress, challenges, and make visible our decision-making.
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Empowering
We are dedicated to empowering individuals, families, and communities by prioritising wellbeing, health, and dignity in our approach to alleviating hygiene poverty. Our mission is to create long-term positive change, built on trust-based relationships that ensure meaningful and lasting impact. As an organisation, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
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Our trustees
Aisling Corr (Founder)
With nearly seven years of experience in the charity sector, I’ve focused on advancing children’s and women’s rights, specialising in research and research ethics, including leading an Institutional Review Board (IRB) for a large INGO. Motivated by a desire to drive positive change in my local community, I’ve taken the leap to found Productive. Beyond this,
I have a broad experience in the charity and public sector spanning over 8 years. With a focus on International development and Humanitarian response I have worked across a mixture of operational and compliance roles, now specialising in information management and data analysis.
Hardeep Kalher
I am a campaigns professional working in the charity sector for over five years. I am currently a campaigner for UNICEF UK and have worked there for almost two years specifically leading it’s advocacy work on child centred climate adaptation. I have previously worked at Women’s Aid and Mind campaigning on mental health.
Nancy Auld
I have worked in the charity sector for the past 7 years, and currently work at Barnardo’s supporting foster families and children. I also work in the community having founded Motion Dance Collective. We deliver therapeutic dance interventions to vulnerable groups to support with mental and physical health.
Beth Hunter
The how?
We will distribute product kits through trusted networks across the Thames Valley region, leveraging existing relationships to ensure support reaches those who need it most. These networks will hopefully include women’s shelters, homeless shelters, refugee and asylum seeker services, family support services, food banks, and other established organisations.
Each kit will contain a selection of new, donated products, packed into discreet, sustainable wash bags. These bags are labelled with their contents and can be returned for cleaning and reuse or kept for personal use.
Financial donations help us purchase additional items to complement the kits, ensuring they meet a wide range of needs.
Our work is entirely volunteer-driven, powered by the dedication of our trustees and the generosity of our community.
The why?
Hygiene poverty has far-reaching effects—depression, anxiety, shame, social isolation, poor physical health, and barriers to employment or education—all contributing to the cycle of poverty.⁴
Many face complex challenges, from social stigma and embarrassment to simply not knowing where to turn for help.
That’s why we believe support should be discreet, easily accessible, and built on trust and respect. Beyond providing essential products, raising awareness and breaking down stigma are crucial to fostering understanding and ensuring no one feels alone in their struggles.