How Chas Berger helped Fresh Visions and Motivate Sussex provide young people with everyday essentials that support their health, confidence and dignity.

For many young people, having shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and sanitary products helps boost their confidence. But when household budgets are stretched, even these everyday essentials can become difficult to afford.

At Motivate Sussex, this is a reality the team sees among the young people attending its three youth clubs in Hastings. Run through Fresh Visions Charity, the clubs provide a safe place for young people to spend time, build relationships and access practical support. The organisation currently engages around 200 young people.

When funds for its hygiene packs began running low, Motivate Sussex needed help to keep providing the products young people relied on. A request on Match My Project connected the team with construction company Chas Berger, whose Social Value Manager, Luke Culling, brought other businesses into the response. Together, they helped provide 100 hygiene packs.

Why everyday essentials matter

Fresh Visions was established in 2001 by frontline housing workers who recognised that vulnerable young people living on local estates were often isolated, facing instability at home and struggling to access support.

Today, the charity supports children, young people and adults experiencing disadvantages linked to poverty, domestic abuse, limited educational opportunities and social exclusion.

Through Motivate Sussex, their work includes three youth clubs in some of Hastings’ most deprived neighbourhoods. The clubs offer activities, opportunities to develop new skills and a welcoming place to spend time with others.

Personal hygiene can become a source of anxiety, particularly during puberty, when physical changes can make young people more conscious of their appearance and how they feel around their peers.

In its project request, Motivate Sussex explained that young people were often anxious about body odour linked to sweating and hormonal changes. Access to everyday personal care products can help ease those worries, support healthy routines and give young people greater confidence when spending time with others.

The request also highlighted the importance of feeling equal to peers and the wider community. Having access to shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and menstrual products can help remove some of the practical and social barriers that come with hygiene poverty.

Providing these essentials is part of helping young people feel comfortable, included and able to take part in everyday life. But with funds running low, the Motivate Sussex team needed additional support.

One request brought several businesses together

The request was: 100 hygiene packs containing the products young people needed.

The list included shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, deodorant, anti-perspirant, razors, shaving cream, sanitary pads, tampons and pantyliners.

Luke Culling, Social Value Manager at Chas Berger brought other businesses into the effort. Asletts Ltd, Genmar IT (UK) Limited, Butler and Mitchell Roofing, and Rawley Hire contributed funding or products, helping turn one request into a collaborative response.

The combined contribution provided £1,300 in verified resources and five hours of verified time. This helped ensure the 100 packs could be prepared without leaving Motivate Sussex to source and fund every item itself.

Luke summed up why the request mattered,

“Personal hygiene is not a luxury. It’s a basic need, a matter of dignity and an essential part of wellbeing.”

 The products are everyday essentials, but having them available could make a meaningful difference to how young people feel about themselves and their place among their peers.

Support that arrived when it was needed

As well as helping fund and source the products, Luke took responsibility for purchasing and delivering the items.

Motivate Sussex praised the care he took to make sure everything arrived, highlighting his communication and the speed of the delivery. 

Project Coordinator for Fresh Vision, Nicola Johnston’s feedback reflects how much this support is appreciated.

“Chas Berger is an excellent contractor and at Motivate Sussex we really value everything that they do for us. Thank you, Chas and Luke.”

The products were delivered to the team on 2 November, ready to be distributed in time for Christmas.

Luke also praised the way the project was organised, “as always, the request was accurate and concise. Thanks to Nicola.”

More than a one-off contribution

The project is an opportunity to support a need by involving a supplier’s wider network, which also demonstrates what could be achieved through one match.

“Helping young people with physical health and cleanliness isn’t something we should have to do, because the items we provided are, in my eyes, an essential for all young people. So being able to support 100 young people with these hygiene packs, is the least we could do here at Chas Berger.”

Luke Culling

The support also sits within a wider relationship between Chas Berger and Fresh Visions. Luke’s visit to the Motivate Sussex team led to a discussion with Tanya Vice about a further project, with more support being explored.

The impact is found in having deodorant before heading to school, being able to maintain a personal care routine, or feeling more comfortable spending time with friends.

Every young person should have access to these essentials. Through this partnership, 100 young people will have greater access to the products that support their health and confidence.

About Match My Project

Match My Project is a digital marketplace that connects businesses with community organisations and residents to deliver Social Value in local communities.  It takes eight minutes to add a project. Get in touch at hello@matchmyproject.org to find out more.