Meet the Northants woman making nourishing soap for frontline workers during lockdown

During lockdown, many of us have taken up new hobbies or reignited a passion for old ones.

Caroline Stocks from Hollowell has done just that and found love for a new craft.

The lawyer, who is still working full-time, has taught herself to make soap and has spent the last few months making loads to donate to frontline workers.

Since Caroline began making her soap, which she has called Smell.BEEautiful, she has gifted around 1,000 packs to healthcare workers with hard working hands, as well as local food banks.

The 30-year-old said: “I’m not particularly crafty by nature, but I wanted to do something to help.

“We’re all so grateful for everything frontline workers do and although I’m working full-time, I don’t feel like I’m actually contributing anything, so to feel like I’m doing something to help is great.

“I just thought everyone has been told to wash their hands so I came up with a recipe for soap with a load of ingredients that are nourishing.

“I do it all from my kitchen, you don’t need specialised equipment really, just some soap moulds, which can be bought on Amazon.

“I melt down the soap mixture then add in the special ingredients, put it in the moulds and then let it set for an hour or so.”

The soap, which has been donated to Northampton General Hospital, Re:Store food bank, local care homes and more, includes almond and coconut oil, as well as oats that are a natural exfoliator.

It is designed not only to clean hands, but also to nourish dry hands and to smell good.

Caroline added: “I started giving it out to frontline workers in my village then it just went from there.

“I’ve had some really lovely feedback from people.

“A little thing like that could make them feel a lot better and make them feel like they are being supported, and it can help their hands as I’m sure their skin is always dry.

“We need to get behind these people.”

Caroline is self-funding her soap project, but is planning to continue it for as long as it is needed and is even further into the future.

She has also created videos to teach others how to make soap and has pulled together a stock list so that anyone can get involved.

To find out more search Smell.BEEautiful on Instagram or email [email protected].

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