ShowerBox Barking – Dignity, Care, and Community in Action
A safe and welcoming space for people experiencing homelessness.
ShowerBox Barking is the UK’s first permanent, purpose-built shower facility designed to support people experiencing homelessness in Barking & Dagenham.
Located just outside the Barking Learning Centre at the heart of the town centre, it provides access to hot showers, clean clothing, underwear, refreshments, and a safe, dignified space for those who need it most.
What ShowerBox Barking Offers
- Hot showers with privacy and dignity
- Clean clothing, underwear, and hygiene packs
- Light refreshments and a chance to rest
- Friendly volunteers offering signposting and conversation
- A safe, welcoming environment where everyone is treated with respect
Why It Matters
Access to basic hygiene is something many of us take for granted, yet for people living without a home, it can be life-changing. Poor sanitation can lead to serious health problems such as skin infections, sepsis, or tuberculosis, and increases demand on local health services.
By offering a clean, safe place to wash, ShowerBox Barking is helping to improve physical and mental wellbeing, reduce health inequalities, and restore dignity and self-worth.
A Partnership for Change
This initiative is a collaboration between the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, ShowerBox, and Barking Churches Unite, with funding from the Barking and Dagenham Health Inequalities Programme (NHS North East London).
The idea grew from successful “Pop-Up” events that offered showers, food, clothing, haircuts, and access to healthcare for people experiencing homelessness. After seeing the demand and the positive impact, partners worked together to create a permanent, purpose-built facility right in the heart of the community.
A Library-Led Partnership
Though the unit stands just outside, ShowerBox Barking is closely linked with the Barking Learning Centre and Library, reflecting how libraries can extend their role beyond books and learning to become spaces of care, compassion, and social connection.
The project demonstrates the power of local partnership - where public services, charities, and community groups come together to meet real human needs.
A Community of Dignity and Hope
ShowerBox Barking is more than a shower facility. It is a lifeline, a reminder that small acts of kindness - a hot shower, a clean shirt, a friendly chat - can make a big difference.
Together, we are building a community that opens its doors to everyone, helping every resident to feel seen, valued, and supported.