Over 20 years later, Hudson, now an award-winning writer and novelist, lives an unrecognisable life but she still recalls the detrimental effects of hygiene poverty. In fact, hygiene poverty creates a hidden barrier to employment. 8.7 million people report skipping work or a job interview due to hygiene poverty, while four in five 18–24 year olds affected by hygiene poverty say they have delayed or missed a career opportunity because they could not access basic hygiene products. Distributed through The King’s Trust, the initiative aims to remove the stigma of hygiene poverty and lift the barriers to work. Despite the hardship, Vijay's mum, who worked at Boots for 17 years, shielded her children from the effects of hygiene poverty.