Thanks to Pirate FM, Willbox has been able to provide much-needed storage for a community dental project in Cornwall.

Helping a community in need

The pandemic has had far-reaching impacts on public health, not least on those with poor access to dental care. Teams from Smile Together usually visit schools, nurseries and family health services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to improve understanding about oral health – but lockdown has temporarily paused these visits.

“We need families to remember to look after their teeth, even when they are struggling to put food on the table,” says Tracy Wilson of Smile Together. “We wanted to find a way to get dental items directly to vulnerable communities.”

A container full of oral health packs

The solution was to put together about 4,000 oral health packs for distribution across the community. The packs will include toothbrushes, toothpaste and two-minute timers, accompanied by oral health advice and guidance, and will be distributed to food banks and charities across the county.

But without secure, dry storage there was nowhere for Smile Together to collect and sort the packs. Ever resourceful, Tracy turned to local radio station Pirate FM, who put out her plea for a 20ft container.“We were delighted to help such a great cause,” says Laura Johns, Regional Manager at Willbox, who heard the appeal.

“Containers are hard to source at the moment, but we worked with our suppliers and customers to find a suitable container quickly, and deliver it to Smile Together in time to receive the dental supplies.”

Smile Together

Smile Together is one of the South West's largest NHS referral and emergency dental care providers. As an employee-owned community interest company and social enterprise it reinvests profits back into dental service provision in the community, helping tackle oral health poverty. The organisation is proud to be finding new ways to deliver care and support in the current crisis.

During the first lockdown the organisation donated thousands of toothbrushes, tubes of toothpaste and oral health education packs to St Petroc's Society, The Trussell Trust and other Foodbanks across Cornwall, and is now inspired to do even more.“Huge thanks to Willbox for responding to our plea on Pirate FM, and providing this container so quickly,” says Tracy. “This safe, dry storage is enabling us to store, pack and donate vital dental items to those in need.”

About Willbox

Willbox, part of the Williams Shipping Group, has over 25 years' experience in container hire and new and used shipping container sales. We can supply containers to meet any need, including site accommodation, storage, and bespoke containers modified to your requirements, and our consultancy service is here to help you make the best choice.

We deliver nationwide from over 20 depots across the country – contact us now for fast and efficient container services.