Stop Girls Missing School because of Poverty

[user1496170327]

Hello Everyone!

I’m not sure how to link threads so I’m going to start a new one!

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a link to the campaign I started which calls on the government to provide free sanitary products to girls in need. I was shocked that across the UK, girls are missing school because of poverty, or using socks or stealing loo roll because they can’t afford sanitary protection. We need action and we need it now!

I’ve been overwhelmed at how many of you signed the petition www.change.org/p/theresa-may-mp-free-sanitary-products-for-girls-on-free-school-meals-freeperiods

It takes just 30 secs! And it’s now grabbed the attention of MPs, members of the House of Lords and some newspapers! This is just amazing!

However, many of you have got in touch to ask how you can help the campaign.

So, I was thinking about organising a #FreePeriods Donation Day to collect sanitary products for girls in schools in deprived areas and for distribution in food banks/homeless shelters.

I was wondering - would any of you be up for co-ordinating a #FreePeriods Donation Day in the area where you live? e.g. collecting sanitary provision from family and friends, local schools etc.

This would be a practical and positive way of making a real difference to so many girls’ lives, until the government acts!

Please let me know, and if you haven’t already, please, please, please add your name to the petition so we can make sure these girls are helped.

10k signatures and the government needs to respond! Thanks so much!

[email protected]

[SamBiker]

Signed. This shouldn't be happening.
Great idea - Should I email you? I could help.

[user1496170327]

Yes please! That would be brilliant.

[CrackersComber]

I've signed it....this is really sad. If girls don't have the money to buy sanpro when it's not really that expensive, I guess it shows how much poverty there is in the UK.
Chances are if you can't afford three square meals a day, you can't afford sanpro. Very sad indeed.

[lifetothefull]

Thanks. Just doing tesco order. Will buy some STs for food bank.

[Bridge567]

I'm very happy to help with this. I'll DM you my details for what you're organising.

I've signed your petition and commend you for doing this. You're right in that it's shocking that we are discussing this and change is way overdue.

[VestalVirgin]

I am not sure whether I think organising donations is a good thing. I mean, short-term, it is, but ... the government could just claim that everything's being taken care of and no need to do anything.

(It is like giving money to beggars in the street versus supporting politics that mean there aren't any people so poor they have to beg in the streets.)

[glenthebattleostrich]

I agree what you are saying vestal but this is something which needs action now. I remember a teacher at my school 25 years ago buying sanpro for students, it shouldn't still be happening.

OP, I'll help coordinate. Will drop you an email this evening.

[Heid1]

Vestal, I've read some articles about this recently , and this isn't a problem that's going to go away quickly unless the government pulls its finger out and gets a plan together.

Giving donations will help the girls who are struggling for some months and certainly won't solve the issue. It's something to help in the interim.

I think your petition will help for a full response to this. I've shared on Facebook so you should get more signs hopefully.

I will email you later. Great idea OP.

[SailingintheWind]

I can't quite get my head round the fact that this is still going on. I had girls in my class at school ask around for sanpro because their parents didn't have two pennies to rub together and that was 18yrs ago, and this is still going on now?

The government should be appalled. I've signed OP. I'll post on FB too.

[Zoflorabore]

I am definitely up for helping out! I'm in the NW.

Can't even imagine how hard this must be for young women, we didn't have a lot growing up but always had sanitary towels and whatever ones I wanted.
My dad used to take me to Asda sometimes and shout " do you want the ones with wings?! " it was just normal to have them.

Anything I can do to help I will

[LornaMumsnet]

Hi all,

We're going to need to send this over to our petitions topic now.

[MedMum15]

I remember being a teenager and dealing with spots, hormones, angst, exams, boys, boobs! To have to cope without sanpro on top of all of this is heartbreaking.
I've signed and shared the petition.
I'm also happy to help. I'll drop you a mail too. Good on you OP for doing this.

[YewTreeShallow]

I think this is way overdue. Child poverty is crippling this country, and the government isn't doing enough to act on this front. I'm a teacher and see this in my school in the East of England. I bring in what I can for the girls and leave a basket in class, but this isn't a long term solution. Girls are struggling to buy sanpro but few will talk about it.

I've signed and I'll share with friends.

[DaisyCheck]

I'll email you tonight OP.

I've signed and shared the link too.

[CantJump]

I've signed this and I'd most definitely like to help if I can...
OP have you tried contacting papers about this to get some coverage?
I'll share the petition on FB too.

[SasBel]

Signed and shared. Usually pop some pads in the food bank collection but am happy to help if you are orchestrating a campaign!

Well done for starting the petition.

[BrionyFuller]

I had friends when I was at 6th form college who would take loo roll from the toilets and use these for pads. I used to give pads to a friend at school who would always seem to 'forget' to bring hers in. We both knew the real reason. It was never discussed though.

Mooncups would be good to give to girls, recoup the cost over a number of years too.

I've already signed and shared.

[CharliePimms]

Singed and shared.

I'm very happy to help with this too. Hopefully the government will take heed and see that some strategy is needed to take the pressure off these girls. Excellent idea!

[CharliePimms]

Signed, not singed!

[TinyTinah]

I've signed this.

Girls have enough to deal with in their teenage years without facing a loss of dignity and coping with their periods in this way...horrendous.

[MintyMollyMaxey]

I've signed and shared. Such an important issue and I'm happy to help too.

[user1496170327]

Bodyform are donating 200,000 pads to schools and are also going to be running free classes in schools with the Self Esteem Team to fight period poverty!!!

This is amazing!

If you haven't already, please sign the petition so the government makes a pledge to fight period poverty too!

www.change.org/p/theresa-may-mp-free-sanitary-products-for-girls-on-free-school-meals-freeperiods