Mitzvah Day has helped bring together faith and civic leaders from various backgrounds to inaugurate the Lincoln Hygiene Bank.

The new initiative is designed to provide essential personal hygiene items and household cleaning products to those in need throughout the region.

The launch, which took place at at Lincoln Methodist Church, showcased a strong commitment to community cohesion, bringing together local Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Christians.

Notable attendees included Subash Chellaiah, executive director of the Centre for Reconciliation; Revd Margaret Doughty from Lincoln Methodist Church; Rachael Phillips from the Lincolnshire Jewish community; Rev Steve Holt, chair of the Centre for Reconciliation, and Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Alan Briggs.

This initiative is a collaboration between Mitzvah Day, the Centre for Reconciliation and the Lincolnshire Faith Council. On Mitzvah Day, which falls on Sunday, November 24, there will be a city-wide collection for the hygiene bank.

This year’s theme, "Stronger Together”, emphasises unity amidst global conflict and local division, encouraging individuals from diverse faiths to connect and strengthen their community.

Laurie Shone, projects and partnerships manager for Mitzvah Day, who spoke at the launch of the hygiene bank, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, saying: “Hygiene items are just as essential as food, providing dignity to those in need. Today was a beautiful demonstration of a community coming together to be Stronger Together!”

Speaking on behalf of Lincoln’s Jewish community, Rachael Phillips noted the collaborative spirit of the initiative, saying, “The Lincolnshire Jewish Community looks forward to working alongside friends from all faiths to support this important Hygiene Bank, demonstrating how we are Stronger Together.”

Laurie Shone, projects and partnerships manager of Mitzvah Day, represented the organisation at the launch of lincoln Hygiene Bank (Credit: Mitzvah Day)

Addressing hygiene poverty in the area, Phillips, a retired nurse, emphasised the importance of accessible hygiene products for all, highlighting that this issue affected individuals across diverse backgrounds.

“It’s crucial to work as a united community to improve health and well-being in Lincoln, especially in light of current political challenges,” she added.

According to the charity The Hygiene Bank, 4.2 million adults in the UK are unable to afford basic hygiene essentials.

Mayor Cllr Alan Briggs stressed the importance of addressing hygiene poverty, stating: “Hygiene poverty means not being able to afford everyday hygiene and household products that many take for granted. This initiative is incredibly worthwhile, and I am pleased to officially open it today.”

Rev Steve Holt highlighted the collaborative significance of the event, saying: “Today is a momentous occasion as we gather to support our local community, recognising that people of faith and no faith coexist side by side.”

The Lincoln Hygiene Bank has set up donation points throughout the city, including local churches and mosques, to facilitate community contributions.