COVID-19 PERIOD SUPPORT DIRECTORY IN THE UK
#PeriodsDontStopforPandemics
This directory is updated on a weekly basis. If you or your organisation is offering a COVID-19 period support initiative in the UK, please email natasha@wen.org.uk to be added to the directory including relevant contact details and hyperlinks.
HELPING FRONTLINE WORKERS:
The Red Box Project
During these unprecedented times, the Red Box Project wishes to use their resources/ networks to support frontline healthcare workers. They can deliver #FreePeriodProducts to NHS hospitals and care settings. Please sign up here – http://redboxproject.org/covid-19-support/
DAME: Tampons for NHS healthcare workers
DAME are supplying NHS healthcare workers with free organic tampons, showing our health heroes support. All you have to do is email hello@wearedame.co from your NHS email to receive a tampon delivery order.
WUKA: Period pants for frontline NHS staff
WUKA is raising money to ensure our frontline NHS staff get much needed menstrual products so they don’t have to worry about basic supplies.
Help WUKA raise £10,000, which will provide 2000 underwear to be ready to distribute within 2 weeks by donating what you can to their GoFundMe page.
Ruby Cup: Free Ruby Cups for healthcare workers
So far, they’’ve donated over 600 cups to health workers in Italy, Spain, the UK, Croatia, Poland, Hungary, and Romania. Ruby Cup are now also looking at opening up donations to other front line workers such as those working in supermarkets.
Can you help them spread the word?
Ruby Cup are looking for people who can help them to distribute the cups to groups of health workers. Ideally, one health worker would take responsibility for ordering a small batch of Ruby Cups for themselves and a group of their colleagues, ensuring that the cups reach those who need them. If you think you can help, please get in touch with Ruby Cup on hello@rubycup.com.
OHNE: Periods on the frontlines #tampons4heroes
So far OHNE have donated 25,000 period products to our #NHSheroes and want to do more. They’re raising £10,000 to supply 50,000 period products to NHS wards up and down the UK. You can help. Donate whatever you can to help them fund the donations via this link, or help spread the word by sharing the campaign on social media! #tampons4heroes
If you work for the nhs and need tampons on your ward, head to ohne.com/nhs-product
TOTM: Donating period products to NHS Trusts
TOTM is keen to support as much as possible and have so far donated 24,300 period products to UK NHS Trusts, and have just partnered with the Help for NHS Heroes campaign to expand on their work. TOTM are also extending their support for their charity partner (Binti) donating liners which are being distributed alongside the protective face masks going to NHS workers.
Hospitals can sign up to be a part of the campaign here: https://helpnhsheroes.com/
Binti International: Masks for the NHS
Binti are setting up sewing groups to provide reusable protective face masks for the Covid 19 pandemic. To support them click here: https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/bintimasksforthenhs
Hey Girls: Period Support
Hey Girls have donated 100 pairs of period pants for NHS staff at The Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and are currently working to send more. They are also working with donation partners such as Project Give — Hey Girls products are making their way to NHS staff on the frontline.
Working with Scottish local authorities, universities and colleges Hey Girls have created special period packs, designed to provide 3 months’ worth of protection to be sent to vulnerable girls, women and families across Scotland. The packs cover different methods of period care, from pads and tampon combinations to reusable pads, cups and pants.
Hey Girls have been working behind the scenes with their contacts across the public and private sectors to see how we can continue to support girls and women in schools, colleges, local authorities and the workforce over the coming months.
To find our more, click here.
HELPING SCHOOLS:
Phs Government Scheme The Department for Education’s free period products scheme will continue to run during the coronavirus lockdown – with additional support from Phs Group (who run the scheme) to enable deliveries to be made securely and flexibly.
We urge all schools and colleges in England to continue to order their free period products, and to take steps to ensure that these supplies are made available (in a safe and appropriate way) to all students who may struggle to access them at home. This is particularly vital given the shortages of these essential products in supermarkets currently, and the catastrophic financial impact that the coronavirus crisis will have on so many families.
Guidance on the scheme and how to place orders is available from the Department for Education here. If you have any problems placing your order, you can call phs on 01827 255500.
Mulberry School for Girls – We’re proud that a few of our Environmenstrual Coalition partners have contributed to a call for period support from Mulberry School.
For example, Hey Girls managed to put together packs for Mulberry School for Girls which included 800 Hey Girls reusable pads donated through money generously given by one of their corporate partners.
DISTRIBUTION, DELIVERY, & DROP-IN SERVICES:
We Are We: Menstrual product distribution with Trussell Trust Food Banks
We Are We have donated more than 5,000 sanitary products to vulnerable women since lockdown. We Are We continue to provide a bi-weekly supply of hygiene and sanitary products to Trussell Trust Food banks and welcome any donations to keep the supply going. There has been a massive spike in the demand for sanitary products, however the Food Bank can not use their funds to provide this as they have to spend budget on food. They depend heavily on We Are We’s service and other donations to meet this necessary need.
We Are We have also led virtual sessions around breaking stereotypes around menstruation within the BAME community and will continue to advocate for positive change within this community surrounding this topic
Please donate at https://www.paypal.me/weareweuk
Or purchase items from the Wish List to support the cause in ensuring as many women as possible have their period with dignity.
Cysters: Period packs in Birmingham
The Cysters team are tackling period poverty in the Birmingham region by putting together period packs for those who need them. Find out more about what they’re doing to help here: http://cysters.org/what-the-covid19-pandemic-means-for-period-poverty/
The Homeless Period – Wolverhampton
The Homeless Period – Wolverhampton collect donations of period products, along with new underwear and toiletries and distribute them to those experiencing or at risk of experiencing period poverty both directly and via organisations supporting them. These include schools, Wolverhampton College, Wolverhampton University, Domestic Abuse charities, homeless charities and shelters, community groups, groups supporting refugees and asylum seekers and food banks. They currently distribute 1000s of pads and tampons per month, along with other essential items.
In addition, The Homeless Period – Wolverhampton host community period packing sessions to raise awareness amongst communities, they are active in campaigns and local and regional research projects and deliver menstruation workshops in schools.
Find below contact details for The Homeless Period – Wolverhampton:
clare@thehomelessperiod-wolverhampton.co.uk
www.thehomelessperiod-wolverhampton.co.uk
Bloody Good Period: COVID-19 Take What You Need (TWYN) Scheme
Bloody Good Period are operating a “take what you need” (TWYN) service from their Safestore facility in Alexandra Palace in North London.
They have a large supply of period products in their storage facility, and will be opening this up to anyone who needs them particularly drop-in centres, refuges, homeless shelters and food banks. They will also continue to bulk deliver supplies to centres outside London wherever they can. To find out more about the scheme, click here.
If you want to help Bloody Good Period, then please pass this information onto anyone you may know who needs it, and please please donate wherever possible at bloodygoodperiod.com/donate.
In Kind Direct
In Kind Direct is a charity distributing new consumer products, donated by retailers and manufacturers, to UK charitable organisations working here and abroad.
How the model works: charities and social enterprises can join In Kind Direct’s network to access period products and other essential products. It is free to register – you can do so here: www.inkinddirect.org/charities You will then get access to their ‘catalogue’ of products and be able to place orders. They do however require a fee to cover the delivery cost because they are a charity themselves.
The good news is that they will keep getting donations of products over the coming weeks and months, and they have plenty in at the moment as well.
If you’d like more information you can contact them at: info@inkinddirect.org
Sanitree: Reusable menstrual pads for foodbanks in Edinburgh
Sanitree raising funds to allow Sanitree to donate their reusable menstrual pads to foodbanks in Edinburgh. Please support by donating via their GoFundMe page.
STOPP (Swansea Takes On Period Poverty)
STOPP (Swansea Takes On Period Poverty) and can provide products including cups and washable pads to any individuals or groups. They’re trying their best to accommodate special requests for specific products. Serving Swansea area. Email stopp.campaign@gmail.com for more details.
Freedom4Girls period product provision in Leeds
Freedom4Girls are distributing period pads, tampons and menstrual cups and soon reusables to people living in Leeds and surrounding areas and can post out menstrual cups if needed. Visit https://www.freedom4girls.co.uk/ for more details.
IGEA Enterprise (Investing in Girls Education in Africa)
IGEA are currently supplying period pads to food banks and refugee charities working with young women across London. They have been able to support over 450 young women and girls that are accessing food banks in London with period products.
Visit www.igeaenterprise.org or support by using this link to their GoFundMe COVID-19 page.
IGEA can be emailed at- igeaenterprise@gmail.com
Homeless Pembrokeshire, Southwest Wales
Homeless Pembrokeshire is a group assisting with period poverty be that homeless females or just those in financial crisis. At the moment products purchased by the local council may be difficult to reach as the food bank operates part time and all schools, colleges etc are shut so there is a greater need.
Homeless Pembrokeshire are happy to bridge that gap as they do also for anyone in a food crisis situation 7 days a week 365 days a year.
Website: www.amandashomelesspembrokeshire.co.uk Email: phcciteam@gmail.com
WEBINARS + VIRTUAL EVENTS:
Environmenstrual Ambassador Workshop IG LIVE @factsoflife.ed
Wednesday 13th May 2020, 8pm BST
Environmenstrual INSTA LIVE Q&A this Wednesday at 8pm. Let’s spend once, and save drama, money, energy and the bloody planet. Learn all about plastic-free periods!
https://www.instagram.com/factsoflife.ed/
Environmenstrual Ambassador Workshop IG LIVE @sustainable.ideas
Tuesday 2nd June 2020, 2pm BST
Two Environmenstrual Ambassadors have teamed up to create an online workshop all about how to have a sustainable period. Learn all about plastic-free periods!
https://www.instagram.com/sustainable.ideas/
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health – Period Talk: What do we need to consider in COVID-19?
The forum provided a great space for important dialogue and problem solving surrounding the issue of #MHM during pandemics
Watch the recording here: http://ow.ly/6uHB50zrU8e
VIDEOS:
Days for Girls – Periods don’t Pause for a Pandemic – How to Make a Reusable Washable Pad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PldZwSLR4Yg
RESOURCES:
Wen – Make your own Reusable Pad at Home – https://www.wen.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Washable-Pad-Pattern-Instructions.pdf
Wen – Plastic-Free Periods Suppliers List – https://www.wen.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Suppliers-list-march.pdf
Wen – Money Off Codes – Sign Up – https://www.wen.org.uk/2020/03/18/grab-an-environmenstrual-discount-code/
Plan UK – The State of Girls’ Rights in the UK: Early insights into the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on girls
Education – Hey Girls offer education in the form of lesson plans, fact files, activities and period guides; all available for free on our website. https://www.heygirls.co.uk/homeschoolwithheygirls-during-lockdown/
Global Menstrual Collective: COVID-Related Resources-
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qPQspbiWSWsfIITQ2j-2PvlbQuGTPLAkslhRDYsCLRs/edit
Bloody Good Period – Keeping Ourselves Well. A Bloody Guide – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P06pLHChYwVXYd0we5DvRgB4mQUDiOKm/view
Bloody Good Period has created a guide to keeping ourselves well during these unprecedented and scary times. The guide includes everything from breathing exercises, dance classes, reading of the corona- and definitely non-corona variety, music, books and a permission slip to do absolutely sweet FA….. it’s all here and free to access.
City to Sea: #QuarantinePeriod Campaign
So, while you’re stuck at home, with your local supermarkets running low on your usual plastic filled disposable products…Now might be the perfect time to try that menstrual cup that’s been at the back of your cupboard for a while? Or what about those period pants that your friend won’t shut up about?
In the coming weeks, City to Sea will be exploring all the plastic-free products in more depth.Sharing an online retailer guide of what to buy where, with Q&As happening on Instagram. Check it out weekly here: https://www.instagram.com/citytosea_/?hl=en
