Norfolk-based group giving out free period products to girls in Norwich
Hey Girls' are joining forces with 'the Big Sister project' for the initiative to try and break down barriers to women exercising and enjoying sport
Last updated 19th May 2022
A Norfolk-based group is helping to give out period products to girls in Norwich for free, at the Riverside leisure centre.
'Hey Girls' are joining forces with 'the Big Sister project', Places for People and Places Leisure for the initiative which is trying to break down the barriers this all builds to women exercising and enjoying sport.
Women in Sport who are also helping to lead the project, found via their research that 43% of teenage girls who once considered themselves sporty became disengaged in sport from after primary school.
While 70% of girls admit to feeling uncomfortable exercising during that time of the month.
"Not only is it an uncomfortable situation, but it's also for your mental health"
Kate Smith is the Co-Founder and Director at Hey Girls, she says initiatives like this can only go so far though: "We go to schools and youth groups and talk about menstrual health, awareness and how to keep yourself comfortable.
"Obviously, a massive part of that is products and we need the Government to listen to us saying that this is to keep people healthy, safe and dignified.
"So they can stay in education, work and school".
Georgie Nicholson is also from the social enterprise.
She told us that 'period poverty'- a lack of access to basic sanitary products and education- is a serious issue here, but can be tackled by sustainable sanitary items:
"Not only is it an uncomfortable situation, but it's also for your mental health knowing that if you're going out- you're scared of leaking and that people will know.
"Some people are also scared of reaching out and asking for free period products because they feel like it's a bit of a shameful thing to do.
"So, unfortunately we find that some people use other ways like bread and loo-roll.
"The period pants last up to five years and they can hold four to five tampons worth of blood. So you really need one pair for the day and one day for the night.
"Once we start teaching people about reuseables, then hopefully we can maybe get period poverty down as well, because they already have their pack, they don't need to buy anymore and they don't need to worry every month where the money is going to come from for it".
She also went on to tell us that the Government and local MPs need to pass the 'free period product bill': "This allows the Government to release money to then give to councils and local authorities to buy products and give them for free to the population.
"So, it would mean that any public space would have free period products in it. Unfortunately, the bill is currently sitting un-signed at the moment, so that's something that we're desperate to get over the line".
What does this all offer girls in Norwich?
The project offers girls aged between nine to 15 years old a six-month free gym membership – including unlimited use of the pool and a selection of workout and virtual classes.
Girls who sign up to the scheme, funded by the DCMS Tampon Tax Fund, will also have a box of Hey Girls reusable products delivered to their home.
It's hoped the scheme will also benefit young girls living in period poverty, an issue faced by 1 in 10 people in the UK.