Flow Happy CIC in London: A Mission to End Period Inequity

In 12 London boroughs, our initiative provides free menstrual products, but our vision extends citywide, addressing a critical issue amplified by staggering UK period poverty statistics.

Meet Sarah, a resilient mother of four daughters navigating the pandemic's challenges. With marital and job losses, she faced the daunting task of affording period products for her family of teenage daughters. Her story mirrors a broader reality illuminated by UK statistics—21% of women and menstruating individuals in the UK now struggle to afford period products, a sharp increase from 12% in just one year, highlighting the urgency of our mission.

Children's centre staff, witnessing the silent struggles, uncovered stories like Sarah's. Her financial strain increased as the cost of living crisis hit harder, forcing her to make agonising choices monthly. It's a stark reminder—mothers resorting to desperate measures, not by choice, but out of necessity.

One mother, already receiving free nappies for her baby, confessed to using them as makeshift sanitary pads due to financial constraints. Other women and girls resorted to using tissue. These heart-wrenching tales are stark reminders that access to menstrual products is a pressing issue, forcing individuals into desperate measures.

These narratives sparked a collective response from Londoners, saying "No more." Period poverty is a travesty, a violation of dignity, and a profound injustice. Our mission is resolute: no woman in London should face her monthly cycle without access to free period products. BBC Article

Education, Shame, and Stigma

Period poverty does more than just impact physical health; it affects education and perpetuates shame and stigma. Girls missing school because they cannot afford menstrual products fall behind in their studies, impacting their futures. The stigma associated with periods further isolates them, creating a cycle of shame and silence.

-Our menstrual health exhibtion in Hammersmith Broadway

Our Vision

Our vision is profound in its simplicity—we aim to make free period products available within a 0.5-mile radius in public spaces across London. This means we need to have free products in 777 public spaces. This isn't just a campaign; it's a movement. Together, we can ensure that every woman, like Sarah and her daughters, has the period dignity she deserves.

Join us in the mission to make period products free. Your donation can help us turn this vision into reality, making a profound difference in the lives of women and girls. Together, we can end period poverty.

-Locations where we offer free period products

Please donate and be part of this vital mission.

Thank you for your support.

Flow Happy CIC