THERE has been a sharp rise in people across County Durham relying on charity for basic essentials, new research shows.

In just a year, the amount of people turning to charities for help with day-to-day essentials has soared by 20 per cent.

Research from In Kind Direct (IKD) shows a dramatic increase in the number of people struggling to afford basics like tampons, toothbrushes, shampoo and nappies.

In its annual Impact Report, the organisation says the number of organisations giving out essentials to those facing destitution has risen sharply year-on-year.

IKD redistributes donated goods to thousands of charities and not-for-profit organisations across the country.

An annual survey of those in their network found 78 per cent of all respondents had given out products to those struggling to afford basics in 2015 – a 23 per cent increase on last year, 20 per cent in County Durham.

IKD has supported more than 155 organisations across the area, including Stanley homeless charity SHAID.

David Palmer from SHAID said: “We work with a range of vulnerable people.

“One young lady arrived with barely enough money to afford food, let alone toiletries, and her personal hygiene was very poor.

“She was very distressed but, thanks to IKD, we were able to supply her with feminine hygiene products and other necessities that really helped improve her confidence and self-worth.”

Laura Hales, head of charity partnerships at IKD, said: “More and more people are asking their local charities for help that goes above and beyond what the charity was set up to do.

“Older people’s support groups are being asked to provide users with toothbrushes and washing up liquid and youth clubs are being asked to provide young people with clothing and basic personal hygiene goods.”

Another homeless charity, First Stop Darlington, said IKD had helped them provide essentials as well as pamper sessions.

Linda Howe said: “We work with those that nobody else will give services to – they have multiple complex needs and are used to be abused by the public and others.

“We were able to deliver pamper sessions to help with their personal hygiene, self-esteem and confidence.

“It was a small thing to us but immeasurable to them.”