Essity, the global hygiene and health company behind brands including Tork, Bodyform, Cushelle and TENA, donated 3.3 million hygiene products through its charity partner, In Kind Direct, in the first half of 2026, supporting 2,780 charitable organisations across the country.
The figures shine a light on the realities of hygiene poverty, and the choices people can face when they cannot afford basic hygiene products.
Under its partnership with In Kind Direct, Essity commits annually to donating 1.2 million Bodyform period pads and 1 million toilet rolls, helping maintain a consistent supply of essential products throughout the year. Essity’s H1 2026 donations include:
- More than 1.76 million Bodyform period pads donated – including donations through In Kind Direct’s ‘Buy 2 and we’ll Donate 1’ campaign in Tesco stores – enough to help people manage an estimated 88,005 periods with dignity.
- 538,740 toilet rolls donated – equivalent to a month’s supply for an estimated 33,671 families.
- 292,338 TENA products donated – helping people to manage incontinence and meet every day hygiene needs with dignity.
- Free Tork washroom and hygiene dispensers installed for five charitable organisations as part of Essity’s award-winning charity washroom fit-out programme – with installations for a further nine planned for H2 2026, helping charities to improve facilities for the people they support.
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. 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.
Gareth Lucy, communications director, UK and North East Europe at Essity
Michael Gidney, Chief Executive at 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.
“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.
“Tackling hygiene poverty takes a collective effort. We’re incredibly grateful for Essity’s continued commitment and proud of the difference we’ve made together, helping people and communities across the country.”
Essity and In Kind Direct have worked together since 2002 to support communities across the UK.
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