We sat down with professional artist and Toiletries Amnesty Ambassador, Louise Stebbing to ask her 10 questions and find out how we can all make a difference with small changes to our lifestyle.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do.
I am a professional artist / printmaker. I have exhibited extensively throughout the UK and abroad. I have won multiple prizes for my work and been selected to show in the Royal Academy, Mall Galleries, Affordable Art Fairs and work in the V&A archives.
I was brought up on a small farm in Cambridgeshire. I now live & work in Norfolk.
2. what inspired you to get involved with the work we do and how have you shown your support?
Having known Karen for a while, and seeing the amazing amount of work that she had selflessly done and what a need there was for the Toiletries Amnesty, I felt it was only right to support the cause.
3. what would you like to see other people do to help?
Contribute in any way you can however small you may think it is, it will make a difference to someone.
4. What are the top 5 toiletries you’d consider essential?
Toothpaste, soap, toothbrush, shampoo, and women’s sanitary products.
5. Where’s your favourite place on Earth? How have you seen it change?
I love South America, especially Guatemala – it sickens me to see how some of these countries are being used as dumping grounds for plastic waste and textiles.
6. What lifestyle changes have you made to be kinder to the planet?
I was brought up to appreciate wildlife and the cost of things. So my whole life I have been careful and aware of all the things a lot people seemed to have only just woken up to. But I do recycle even more now wherever possible.
7. Which three words do you try to live by?
Always Be Kind.
8. What are some of your favourite sustainable brands?
I like WeAreThought clothing, but I don’t buy excessive amounts of clothes or make-up in a year.
9. What does kindness mean to you?
Its often the little things – it should be a way of life.
10. Has hygiene poverty ever affected you or those around you?
Growing up we had very little but we never felt underprivileged. We couldn’t afford any luxuries – it was a treat to have a bubble bath but this was by using a squeeze of washing up liquid into the bath that we all had to take turns in sharing – felt a real treat!
Contribute in any way you can however small you may think it is, it will make a difference to someone.
Louise Stebbing
