It’s Menstrual Health Day 2022 and we’re asking you to chuck us a few quid (or anything you can spare) so that we can provide regular supplies of period products to menstruators in need over the summer holidays.

We know from our workshops that young people are still struggling to obtain period products and that this is made even harder in the school holidays where young people struggle with access, stigma and support around their menstrual health.

With the increased cost to daily bills and the ongoing rise in food costs, we’re following in the footsteps of our Mancunian pal, Marcus (Rashford) & whilst he’s focussing on free school meals over the summer holidays, we’re looking to provide free period products across Greater Manchester - but we can’t do this without you!

So you might be thinking, why are two girls from Manny mithering me for a quid? Isn’t period poverty over? Didn’t the government fix that? Nah mate. From our work we’ve seen…

🩸Period stigma in education, advertising and everyday life still very much exists.

🩸Language and messaging around periods continues to exclude lots of menstruators & their experiences.

🩸 Youth Workers, Teachers & Social Workers are using their own money to provide products to the people they work with.

🩸 Young people are borrowing products from friends or are forced to regularly use tissue in their underwear.

🩸 Some menstruators are even going without any form of product or DIY substitute.

🩸 The increased price of products on the high street is just the start - add on the costs of travel, postage, pain relief and you’re not getting much change (if any) from a tenner.

🩸The Covid 19 pandemic not only left young people with a lack of access to products they may usually obtain through education providers and community groups, but it also left them with a lack of access to menstrual education, leaving young people unable to make informed choices around their own health, wellbeing and product suitability.

🩸 Fewer than 1 in 5 surveyed in the Women’s Health Strategy 2022, said they had sufficient information on menstrual wellbeing (17%).

We appreciate that financial constraints exist beyond period poverty - and so as always, there is absolutely no pressure to donate!! Keep your eyes peeled over the next few weeks for activities, events and other ways you can support menstruators in your area.