Sanitary Provision and Period Poverty
Years ago the network identified that accessing sanitary products as well as affording them could be a problem for some colleagues. The network looked into options and developed Comfort Boxes you hopefully to this day will see in staff toilets.
It was recognised that is some of our locations access to period products can be very difficult especially if you are surprised by mother nature! It is not always easy (or situations may not lend themselves) to ask a colleague if they can help out. We do not want colleagues to have that stress if we can help it.
The idea is that staff support each other by donating items. There is no obligation to replace what you take but if you are in the position to, that will help the Comfort Boxes keep going. In some areas, there was an expansion of products such as deodorant, panty liners.
In recent years Health and Wellbeing have funded some period products too.
Comfort boxes are a voluntary project supported by our Women’s Staff Network.
Sanitary product storage boxes can be found in the larger staff toilets and accessible toilets.
Please take what products you need and replace what you can.
Take care and wishing you a lovely day.
Did you know?
- Many people think that period poverty (where there is a lack of access of sanitary products and clean places) only occurs in poorer countries or during crisis. But it happens in the UK too affecting school children causing them to miss school. For more information, check out Action Aid and Plan International.
- In January 2019 NHS England committed to providing free sanitary products for people staying in hospital.
- Financial pressures can affect our colleagues too and we can have difficult days, for many reasons. Hopefully, in this small way, we can make the day a bit easier.
- Access the Women’s Staff Network YourSpace page
- More about comfort boxes.