With thanks to Linda Allbutt, Founder and Chair of Period Power.
Period Poverty
The term period poverty describes a growing problem amongst people who have periods struggling to afford period products, often resorting to using toilet paper or old rags to provide some level of protection.
Period Power
Upon learning that women and girls were being forced to choose between feeding themselves and buying period products, Linda Allbutt founded Period Power in 2017 – aimed at providing free access to period products.
Initially providing local food banks with products Linda soon realised the high level of demand, and so, teamed up with a group of like-minded individuals. Since then, the project has grown and over the past five years has supported over 200 schools and around 250-300 charities and food banks with period and hygiene products, across the city of Stoke-on-Trent and beyond. They have also held workshops and conferences to inform and educate.
With the aid of their support Stoke-on-Trent City Council became the first Period Dignity Council in England, stocking all 180 council owned ladies’ and disabled toilets across the city with free tampons and sanitary pads. Period Power have also worked closely with Fire Services to support efforts to become Period Dignity Fire Services, with free products accessible to staff and visitors.
“Whilst there is food poverty there will be period poverty” and demands for support continue to grow. A more recent aspect of the project is in promoting the use of reusables – absorbent pads which can be washed and reused. As well as providing free access to these, they hope to hold workshops on how these can be made at home.
Read more about the project and find out what you can do to support Period Power here: http://www.periodpower.co.uk
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