A North London council has set-up 16 locations across the borough where residents can get access to free period products to support those facing period poverty due to the cost-of-living crisis.
This initiative is part of the council’s Period Dignity campaign that aims to ‘raise awareness, educate, challenge period-related stigmas, and ensure free products are available to those in need’.
In 2021, Brent Council became the first London borough to install vending machines containing free pads and tampons in public buildings. The local authority has now partnered with Hey Girls – a social enterprise company whose mission is to eradicate period poverty in the UK.
Residents can now collect eco-friendly disposable pads and tampons, made from sustainably sourced and biodegradable materials, as well as reusable menstrual cups, for free from a range of council-run facilities. The locations include family wellbeing centres, libraries, and Brent Hubs, which are dotted throughout the borough.
The cost-of-living crisis has been exacerbated over the past few years due to factors such as the covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine. It has contributed to many people being forced to choose between necessities such as food and heating their homes, or buying essential period products. Since 2021, there has been a 78 per cent increase in the need for free period products, according to the charity Bloody Good Period.
Cabinet Member for Resident Support and Culture, Cllr Fleur-Donnelly-Jackson, said: “The cost-of-living crisis has pushed many families to the brink, leaving them struggling to make ends meet. Some are forced to prioritise other essentials over menstrual supplies, leading to disruptions in education and daily life.”
She added: “No one should have to choose between basic necessities and period products. We are committed to providing women and girls with the products they need to support their well-being and confidence.”
As well as attempting to tackle health inequalities, the initiative is also aimed at raising awareness about those who feel anxiety, embarrassment or shame about their period. Despite recent efforts to reduce the societal stigma around periods, a 2023 survey carried out by poverty NGO Action Aid found that nearly a quarter (22 per cent) of those surveyed feel embarrassed during their period – up from 8 per cent in 2022.
A Hey Girls representative said: “Hey Girls are pleased and proud to be working with Brent Council on their Period Dignity initiative to tackle period poverty for residents. Our organic and responsibly-sourced disposable period products will be readily available to residents in Libraries, Family Hubs and other locations within the community.”
They added: “Hey Girls aims to remove shame and stigma surrounding periods and hope our education to council staff, free online educational resources and products can help bring period dignity and awareness to local residents in Brent.”
