School of Health Science pilots sanitary product provision

11 Dec 2019

New sanitary provision scheme aims to help tackle period poverty

Professor Kay Marshall and the School of Health Sciences (SHS) hope to help tackle period poverty and emergency access to menstrual products, with their new sanitary provision pilot scheme.

From September 2019, the government Department for Education provided free sanitary products to all pupils in secondary schools, with this being extended to primary schools in early 2020. SHS wanted to extend this up to University students by providing free sanitary products for students in need.

Professor Marshall was inspired when she attended the Student Volunteering Awards where student period poverty endeavour 'Once a Month' was honoured, following the awards, staff set to work. Various products were researched, and it was decided that a pilot scheme of free eco-friendly menstrual products would be tested in the Stopford and Zochonis Buildings.

All sanitary products have been ordered from Natracare, whose products are organic and biodegradable to ensure this initiative has minimal impact on the environment. The project has been backed by the SHS Athena SWAN team.

To ensure accessibility to all those who menstruate, baskets containing products have been placed in the women’s toilets, as well as the men’s and disabled facilities in the Zochonis Building, with Stopford following suit in the near future to improve accessibility.

If provisions run out, top ups can be obtained from the Stopford reception, or from the school administrator in Zochonis.