Dunstable company donates millions of hygiene products to charities

Essity, which makes brands including Bodyform, Cushelle and TENA, supported 188 charitable organisations across the East of England in the first half of 2026 through its partnership with In Kind Direct.

Of those, 49 charities were based within 10 miles of Essity’s Dunstable office. The donations form part of a wider effort which saw the company distribute 3.3 million hygiene products to 2,780 charitable organisations across the UK between January and June.

The products included more than 1.76 million Bodyform period pads, enough to help people manage an estimated 88,005 periods, as well as 538,740 toilet rolls and 292,338 TENA products.

The donations aim to help charities support people experiencing hygiene poverty, where the cost of basic products can force households to make difficult choices between everyday essentials.

Essity also installed free Tork washroom and hygiene dispensers at five charitable organisations during the first half of the year, with a further nine installations planned before the end of 2026.

Gareth Lucy, communications director for the UK and North East Europe at Essity, said: “Nobody should have to struggle to afford basic hygiene products, but charities are seeing people forced to make difficult choices about everyday essentials that many of us put in the shopping basket without a second thought.

“Going without these products can have a real impact on people’s health, dignity and confidence.”

Gareth said: “Donating 3.3 million products in the first half of 2026 shows the scale of our partnership with In Kind Direct and the practical support it provides.

“By working together, we can help ensure charities have a reliable supply of essential products to get to people who need them most.”

Essity has worked with In Kind Direct since 2002, committing to donate 1.2 million Bodyform period pads and one million toilet rolls annually to help maintain supplies of essential products.

Michael Gidney, chief executive of In Kind Direct, said: “Charitable organisations across our network are feeling the impact of hygiene poverty every day.

“When household budgets are stretched, essential products such as period products and toilet roll can quickly become another cost people have to find a way around.”

Michael added: “Our long-term partnership with Essity helps ensure that people can access the everyday essentials they need, when they need.

“We see first-hand how consistent access to these essentials can have a significant impact on health, wellbeing and confidence.”