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Original poster

Girls missing school because of poverty

446 replies

user1496170327 · 31/05/2017 11:08

Hello Everyone!

Thanks to everyone who suggested posting in this thread!

I'm a teenage girl who's started a campaign to help girls who can't afford sanitary products.

Some of you may have read recently that girls across the UK skip school because they can't face the shame of going to school without adequate sanitary care.

Some use socks, toilet roll and sellotape, or even newspaper. Young girls are living in such extreme poverty, and I believe this must be discussed and addressed, especially when this can harm their health.

I was absolutely horrified that this is happening in Britain and felt that something had to be done. So, I'm calling on the government to provide free sanitary provision for girls in need, as a first step. I'm writing to MPs every day and the response, so far, has been really positive. I think that this is something that can happen with enough support!

I'm really hoping that you will agree that this is so very important- that all girls should be able to access essential care and go to school with confidence and that we should not be disadvantaged because of our gender. May I ask you to add your name to my petition to the government, and if you could share on social media, that would be amazing!

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

I'm writing an article for a newspaper about period poverty in schools, and if you've been in this dreadful situation yourself, I'd really appreciate it if you could get in touch, if you're happy to!

Thank you so much for your support!! I really appreciate it, and I believe that if enough people want to change this situation, we can make it happen. Thanks again!

[email protected]

OP posts:
PrinceAli · 31/05/2017 17:54

Well done op. Ignore the assholes

IStoleThisUsername · 31/05/2017 18:00

Signed.

As a child, We were so poor that I've had to steal toilet paper from a public toilet to wrap around the gusset of my knickers when on my period. I'm now in a position to help and always donate sanitary towels to the local food bank.

Op I've signed, and I think it's a brilliant thing you're doing. Well done.

SuburbanRhonda · 31/05/2017 18:01

To those saying why doesn't the school nurse deal with this, our last school nurse, who covered 12 schools, went on maternity leave and hasn't been replaced. There used to be four of them, now there are none.

ImComingOver · 31/05/2017 18:20

Signed and shared.

School nurses don't go to schools armed with boxes of sanpro. I wish they did.

I'm so sad reading some of the stories on here about people's experiences.

I've also tweeted the link to my MP too.

Agerbilatemycardigan · 31/05/2017 18:37

I can't believe that in the UK, this is still happening.

I went to school in the 70s and still remember the humiliation of not being able to afford any sanpro. I couldn't buy my own as I didn't recieve pocket money, so used to sit in my room on an evening stuffing the sleeves of old jumpers with loo roll (if we had any).

Whether it's poverty or parental neglect is not the issue. My parents always had money for cigarettes but not for sanpro, that wasn't my fault. I spent many a lesson not taking in what was being taught to me, as all I could think about was when it was time to stand up, would there be blood on my chair. I also had a 3 mile bike ride home at the end of the day.

Those of you that think this either doesn't exist or is simply just because of bad money management on the part of the parents, should pull their heads out of their arses and consider themselves lucky that this isn't their reality.

migrating · 31/05/2017 18:49

Seriously, what school nurse?

I can't think of any local school, Primary or Secondary with a school nurse. It would be a nice luxury to have one, but frankly that wouldn't even be the first item on the list of points sorely missed in our schools.

youaredeluded · 31/05/2017 18:50

Why can't we just give them all a moon cup each at be done with it?

Limitededitionseveninch · 31/05/2017 18:52

Signed. I am also shocked at the lack of understanding amongst some posters about this issue. As a teacher I see some very concerning levels of poverty amongst students. Those who say it's a parental issue or a school nurse issue (what school nurse, by the way?!) clearly have absolutely no idea of the hardships some families face. Count yourself lucky by all means, but don't be so naive as to think everyone can simply "get" themselves out of certain situations by getting to their nearest shop and spending a few quid.

BizzyFizzy · 31/05/2017 18:54

I was an AHT in an independent girls' school until a couple of years ago. We had a fairly unlimited supply of freebies from Always/Tampax. I'm sure other places are the same. There is no need for poorly parented girls to not come to school.

PeanutButterBunny · 31/05/2017 18:55

People dont understand real poverty in Britain. Where I come from there is no benefit, you dont get even 1 pence for nothing. It makes me want to shoot these parents who abuse child benefit to buy ciggies and drinks.

migrating · 31/05/2017 18:55

Why can't we just give them all a moon cup each at be done with it?

you do realise that in some cultures it will be unacceptable for a little girl to use a tampon, let alone a mooncup. That's the reality of today's Britain too unfortunately.

ImComingOver · 31/05/2017 18:56

Gosh I don't know what to say reading your account of your experience.
You're so right in that the reason for poverty is immaterial, it's happening and it's destroying lives.
I really applaud you for sharing.

PeanutButterBunny · 31/05/2017 18:56

Why can't we just give them all a moon cup each at be done with it?

Because it is too sensible. I think NHS should offer a mooncup to disadvantaged girls.

Ulysses · 31/05/2017 18:58

The shame I felt for being poor with a single parent on benefits lives with me 25 years later and I'll definitely be signing. Well done OP.

Limitededitionseveninch · 31/05/2017 19:01

BizzyFizzy

On the offchance you weren't taking the piss, you worked in an independent school.

So not to state the obvious, but your experience of teaching students in poverty won't quite have been the same. Even if some students were on a bursary programme, they would have still been very underrepresented as a proportion of the student body compared to an inner city school with 70% of pupils on FSM.

Ulysses · 31/05/2017 19:01

There were 4 of us needing Sanpro each month as well including my mum who had LD so was unable to work worthwhile. There was so little money.

Akire · 31/05/2017 19:02

Moon cups for kids seriously? I'm 40 I struggle getting it on ant out trirf all ways of folding it up it still comes out like an open umbrella! Considering many girls struggle with tampons which are tiny can you imagine trying to use a mooncup!!

noshownoshow · 31/05/2017 19:05

BizzyFizzy- did you say independent? Having attended an independent school in my teens and now working in one of the most deprived areas on Britain, I can tell you you haven't seen the ugly side of poverty at the independent school.

It simply doesn't compare. I'm amazed at how people want to deny this is happening.

It is, every day, and I see it first hand. Families are struggling to afford buying their daughters sanpro. I'm asked for it constantly and keep some in my bag.

This is a much needed initiative. Well done OP.

Make sure you ask people to share on FB and Twitter so it gets plenty of traction- it deserves it.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 31/05/2017 19:35

Signed. I first became aware of this when I heard (on Radio 4 maybe?) from Freedom4girls who were working predominantly in Kenya at the time that they had received a call for help from Leeds! They conveyed their initial utter shock. I felt it too. I can't even be bothered to RTFT as I've seen a few idiotic posts and I really don't want to read any more. One thing I would say about the petition though is that it's free Sanpro for girls on FSM but as registering for FSM takes parental input, and as we (those of us that aren't stupid) know, Sanpro poverty for some girls is about neglect not actual financial poverty, I'd like to see it extended to be that Sanpro provision was made free in all schools, for all girls. As someone who grew up in modicum of financial poverty but a whole heap of very deliberate maternal neglect, I, at 16 and living on my own, knew that own brand Sanpro could cost less than a loaf of bread. And I dreaded the week of every month where I had to chose the own brand Sanpro over the loaf of bread. The own brand argument angers me beyond belief (I've tried so hard not to swear in this response so that it doesn't get deleted), despite our backgrounds my DH and I have managed to provide a wonderful life for own daughters. When each of them have got to the puberty stage and required Sanpro they've had the opportunity to try out all options to see what suited them best. We have a veritable Aladdins Cave of Sanpro (haha). My eldest has chosen probably the most expensive brand available as that was what she found most comfortable, whereas my youngest has decided a, comparatively cheap, own brand towel is the best one for her. We also buy bags to dispose of towels hygienically and wipes if they're out and about and need a convenient way to clean up. They are lucky. But this shouldn't be a privilege for those that can afford it, it should be a standard available to all. I despair of anyone who thinks otherwise.

SuffolkNWhat · 31/05/2017 19:54

I've signed and shared. I'm fortunate enough to earn a decent wage (teacher) and in every online shop I do I add in toons and pads to provide in the toilets at my school. I have never said anything to any of the girls, there is just a sign saying take as needed. I also provide a small basket with nice soap, deodorant and hand cream. There are also packs of knickers in a range of sizes on the side as I remember the horror of bleeding through when I first started.

I do all this out of my own money as I cannot bare the thought of the girls I teach being in the position that kick started it for me; a girl who was having to use tissue as there was no spare cash for pads at home. She bled through the tissue and underwear and was in a right state when I found her crying in the toilets. From that day on I've vowed that no child I teach shall ever be in that situation again.

Sn0tnose · 31/05/2017 20:11

Signed. Well done OP. I hope I don't sound patronising, but your family should be proud of you.

I love Mumsnet, I really do. But some of you make my jaw drop with your sheer lack of understanding or empathy with anything that doesn't match your experiences.

Also those bleating about bus fares and postage. Go to Superdrug online. Register for their health and beauty points card which is free. That card then qualifies you for free standard delivery on online orders and plenty of offers just for having the card. there really is no excuse, you can buy cheap towels with no postage charges. I'm trying really hard not to be rude here, but if a young girl doesn't have the money for bus fare to her local supermarket, then in what fucking world do you imagine that she'll either have Internet access, or a phone with Internet access, or enough credit to access the Internet, or a debit/credit card, or enough money in a bank account to be able to use said debit/credit card?

Original poster
user1496170327 · 31/05/2017 20:35

Thank you so much Sn0tnose for your kind words! I'm trying my best to make this happen, and from reading the comments on here, it is SO needed! Some of your stories have made me shudder.

I've been contacted by girls who are going through this today, and trust me when I say that their situation is absolutely chilling. It's desperate. By not doing anything about this, we are letting them suffer in silence, because many are too embarrassed to tell teachers, and a solution is needed and fast!

Some have parents who can barely look after them. However, that's not the girls' fault, is it? We don't chose to be born into our families.

I think we can all create a movement around this to make sure the government addresses this quickly. Please do keep signing and sharing!

OP posts:
brasty · 31/05/2017 20:44

I am glad this is being taken seriously now. It was an issue when I was a girl and I knew kids who used toilet paper. The school nurse would supply pads, but charged for them.

DJBaggySmalls · 31/05/2017 20:44

Some have parents who can barely look after them. However, that's not the girls' fault, is it? We don't chose to be born into our families.

This.
And its so heartening to hear of people just getting on with it and setting up a donations box in the school, you've really started something with this petition.

MapleTressleStrood · 31/05/2017 20:44

I'm outraged that this is going on. I had no idea.

Well done OP for starting this. Signed and sent on WhatsApp to my contacts.

Make sure you ask people to share to get the link circulated in different places. Good on you! I wish I'd been so compassionate when I was 17!