On Wednesday 12 March, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in partnership with award-winning charity ShowerBox and Barking Churches Unite to celebrate the opening of ShowerBox Barking. 

This ground-breaking project is the UK’s first permanent purpose-built facility located at Barking Learning Centre and offers hot showers, underwear, respite and refreshments for people in the borough experiencing homelessness.

Providing access to sanitation for individual and community health with facilities like ShowerBox Barking can play a vital contribution in narrowing the gap in health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.

Barking and Dagenham, like other areas of London, has seen an increase in the number people rough sleeping (64% increase from 20/21 to 22/23) and poor sanitation can have a significant impact on individual and community health.

• Poor sanitation can make people more at risk of infectious disease, with rough sleepers 24 times more likely to contract tuberculosis 
• Lower life expectancy, the average age of death for rough sleepers is 43 for males and 45 for females, and it causes including preventable hygiene related issues such as sepsis
• Increased demand on A&E services with rough sleepers attending services for conditions such as cellulitis.

The partnership between ShowerBox, Barking Churches Unite and the Council and development of ShowerBox Barking originated from their participation in "Pop Up" events across the borough to support people experiencing homelessness, where guests could see a doctor with no prior appointment, and also receive food, clothes, a haircut and a shower. Most people surveyed at the events said they attended for free food and showers, as well as to see a doctor.

Thanks to funding from the Barking and Dagenham Health Inequalities Programme (from NHS North East London and determined by the Barking and Dagenham Place-based Partnership), LBBD and generous in-kind support from ShowerBox, Barking Churches Unite and their supporters and volunteers, ShowerBox Barking has been opened at the Barking Learning Centre, where the pop-up’s took place.

Cllr Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Adults Social Care and Health Integration, who has spearheaded this new facility said at the launch event: “Today is a dream come true for me. The importance of providing access to sanitation can not be underestimated, not just for improving personal hygiene and preventing disease, but in terms of helping to improve the life chances of some of our most disadvantaged residents. 

“More often than not, people experiencing homelessness are not seen or valued and by offering them something as simple as a hot shower, that we all take for granted, it will help give them the respect and dignity they deserve.

“I am so proud of what we as a partnership of health, community and voluntary sector and the local authority have achieved with this project”. 

Sarah Lamptey MBE, Founder and Chief Executive, ShowerBox said: "The launch of ShowerBox Barking, a partnership between ShowerBox, the London borough of Barking and Dagenham and Barking Churches is momentous for our charity. It's the culmination of many years of work across our growing team, to support and lighten the loads of the lives of our guests, those who experience the hardship of homelessness every day.

“This partnership is a milestone for ShowerBox and a wonderful moment for me personally, as since the start of 2018 I've had the dream and focus to support individuals without access to hygiene facilities. A simple way to make a great difference in people's lives, to their physical health, mental wellbeing and sense of dignity."