FAQs
1. What is the story behind 'Leiho'?
Leiho means 'how are you' in Cantonese and we are a social impact brand that encourages acts of kindness, love and positivity towards ourselves and to others, may it be your friends, family, or towards people in need! Our journey began in December 2019 with fun bamboo socks that help people experiencing homelessness and have since expanded to a range of products from beanies, t-shirts, tote bags to water bottles.
2. So how does it work?
We dedicate 5% of our sales to go towards purchasing essentials for the homeless community. We decide on the essentials that is most needed in each season and/or is requested by our partner charities. So if you buy a pair of Leiho socks, you will be helping fund another basic essential such as a clean pair of socks, underwear, thermals or even a hot meal for someone in need.
3. Why start with socks?
Clean socks are the most requested item of clothing at homeless shelters but sadly the least donated. Socks are an essential for our foot health and hygiene. If we all put on a fresh pair of socks everyday anyway, why shouldn’t that be the case for those experiencing homelessness? We wanted to bridge the gap between the items that are bought and consumed on a regular basis with vulnerable communities that are in need of the same items.
4. What kind of socks do we sell?
We sell bamboo socks that have many functional benefits for you! It is hypoallergenic, temperature adapting, and odour resistant! Check out our blog to find out more.
5. What kind of essentials do we donate?
Our aim is to help improve the quality of life for people experiencing homelessness and the support they need may vary based on different seasons. For example, we give thick thermal socks in the winter months, and durable, breathable socks in the summer! Find out more on our blog. Likewise, we also provide other warm essentials in the winter such as thermals and beanies, while in the summer, things like clean water, toiletries and underwear will usually be on our priority list of items to give. Thus, we work closely with our partners and the people we support to make sure we are adapting the essentials that we give to fit their needs.
6. Who do we give the donations to?
We work with partner charities and organisations to distribute the socks to those who need it the most! So far we’ve worked together with over 37 different charities and organisations.
We have a partnership with Highway House homeless shelter, who we give regular donations to for their residents and guests.
We also work closely with local projects who offer outreach services to provide homeless people with the essentials that they need. Check out our Impact page to find out who we’ve worked with.
7. Is Leiho a sustainable company?
We believe that sustainability should not be an addition to our values, but rather embedded in our core decision making and planning. We are an eco-conscious brand striving to do better with each and every new product line we introduce. We are not perfect but we ensure that all of our suppliers meet our ethical, sustainable standards and expectations.
8. I want to help more! How else can I get involved?
If you are another brand that is interested in partnering with us or a company that are looking for socially impactful gifts for their employees, please do get in touch! If you are an individual interested in contributing more for our community, whether it's blog writing, volunteering, or donating essential items, we are always looking for more people to join our small but mighty team in one way or another so please drop us an email or a DM on insta at @leiho_uk.
9. How can I get in touch?
If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions for us, we’d love to hear from you! You can reach us at info@leiho.co.uk or fill in the Contact form!