Associate feature: A community response to period poverty

Period poverty occurs when people are unable to afford basic menstrual products. Plan International UK has highlighted that one in ten young people in the UK have been unable to afford period products and have had to improvise sanitary wear because of the cost.

The Period Poverty campaign was launched by the Scottish Government nationally in August 2018.

In Angus the Community Planning Partnership have been leading the work to eradicate period poverty in our communities.

Our aim is to eradicate period poverty in Angus by the end of 2021. As part of the work to co-produce local activity the Free Period Angus brand was developed to deliver on the local vision.

This provision compliments support to schools delivered through education and support to students through Colleges.

This approach was co-produced with local representatives from the public, private and voluntary sector with regular engagement with local communities to ensure the right services are being delivered.

As well as distributing products, we have circulated educational information to local people to help them have valuable discussions with their families and ensure that there is no longer a stigma around periods.

Every month the Angus Community Partnership host a virtual Red Tent Event. Red Tent Events gives people the opportunity to have honest and open discussions about menopause, menstrual wellbeing and mental health in a safe and supportive environment.

This is linked to the Angus Period Positive Campaign which sees businesses provide products and information for employees to support them with any menstrual wellbeing challenges.

Moving forward in Angus we are keen to focus on providing more sustainable options and this month have distributed over 400 menstrual cups and 1300 packs of washable pads. These products are not only good for the environment they also mean less is being spent monthly on products.

Shelley Hague is the strategic policy and planning manager at Angus Council

This piece was sponsored by Angus Council