Helping to stop Covid-19 period poverty

With Coronavirus affecting the finances of many households, High Peak Borough Council is stepping in to help stop some women and girls suffering from period poverty.

It's a situation which figures show affects 1 in 10 girls in the UK and women in low-income employment can sometimes struggle to afford the products they need.

Earlier this year the Council pledged to eradicate period poverty in the Borough and agreed a range of measures including considering the use of the Councillor's Initiative Fund to support schemes such as 'dignity bags'.

Now Executive Councillor with responsibility for public health, Fiona Sloman, has joined forces with many other Borough Councillors to use the funds to buy reusable, recycled pads from start-up business Studio le Fay to distribute to women and girls across the High Peak.

Councillor Sloman said: "None of us has escaped the impact of Covid-19 but for some women and girls the lack of access to sanitary products may be an overlooked consequence.

"Strong community networks have been established to support some of the most vulnerable people in our Borough and it makes sense for us to link in with them. We'll be working with community groups that are already distributing food parcels to those people who need them to include these pads with those deliveries.

"I'm delighted we are able to provide this extra help - it's one less thing for people to worry about and I know they will make a real difference to those who receive them."

Published 19 May 2020