School joins growing Suds in Schools initiative to combat hygiene poverty

Pegasus Primary School, part of the Summit Learning Trust, has started taking part in the Suds in Schools programme. The school has been donated a washing machine which members of the school community are able to use, a huge help to those in temporary accommodation particularly.

The programme is run by cleaning brand smol. Their research, carried out with The Hygiene Bank charity amongst parents and teachers of children in UK primary and secondary state schools, revealed a significant increase in children experiencing hygiene poverty, with a concerning impact on their wellbeing, ability to learn and school attendance.

In response to these findings, they’ve opened over 130 Suds in Schools sites and provide free laundry capsules for every single site on an ongoing basis. The initiative is entirely crowdfunded, meaning each washing machine installation is made possible through the support of the wider community. 

Families at the school also already benefit from the trust’s ambitious anti-poverty strategy called “Summit Base Camp”, which pledges to meet every child’s basic needs so they can focus on learning. 

The trust provides free supervised breakfasts for any child or staff member who needs one, source beds for children experiencing “bed poverty”, keep schools open before and after hours as warm spaces with hot drinks and Wi Fi, and supply free uniform, full stationery sets, calculators and exam revision materials. 

The programme also includes free sanitary products, toiletries, home Wi Fi solutions, redistributed laptops, transport support and partnerships with FareShare and local charities. 

Adam Ames, Principal at Pegasus Primary School said: "Suds in Schools is making a real difference for our families. Having access to a free school laundrette means children can come to school feeling confident and ready to learn. It complements the work we’re already doing through Summit Base Camp to ensure every child has their basic needs met and can thrive academically and socially."

Gemma Humphreys, Suds in Schools lead at smol said: "The reality for many families is that something we often take for granted, like getting laundry done, can become a hurdle. Our partnership with Pegasus Primary is about building a support system within the school gates, building on the mission of smol's Suds in Schools project to ensure every child has the dignity of clean clothes and the ability to thrive in education."