Isabel Hospice is making period products available for free to anyone struggling to afford them due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Small bundles of pads and tampons have been made up by our Hatfield charity shop manager Lucie Brady to give away to those in need.
Lucie said: “We get all sorts of things donated to our shops and quite often this includes unopened or individually wrapped period products that people no longer want, either because they’ve bought the wrong type or brand, or just no longer need them.
“We know that people are really struggling financially in all sorts of ways at the moment, and unfortunately, period poverty is a real issue for some. Your period won’t stop coming each month just because money is tight, and it’s unfair that cost barriers exist around access to menstrual products.
“No one should be at a disadvantage just because they have a period, and if we can help someone by putting these donated items to good use, then we will.”
A survey commissioned last year by ActionAid UK to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022, found that nearly one in eight women (12%) in Great Britain had struggled to buy menstrual products for themselves and/or a dependent.
It reported that amid soaring inflation and rocketing energy bills, many had been forced to prioritise other household essentials, such as food and heating, over buying products like tampons.
Lucie’s period parcels, made up in pink and white paper bags, will be left by the till for people to discreetly help themselves.
“If you’re struggling, or are even just caught out by a spontaneous period while out and about and need something in an emergency, please don’t be shy,” she said. “We’re here to help.”
If you have some period products that you no longer want or need and would like to donate them to Isabel Hospice, please drop them to Lucie at the Hatfield shop during opening hours. Alternatively, they can be dropped to our Donation Centre in Welwyn Garden City.
If the parcels prove to be in demand, then we will look to make them available at our other charity shops across eastern Hertfordshire.
