'Period poverty' kits to be supported by local Waitrose shoppers

Monday 06 August 2018

Guernsey's two Waitrose stores are to sell Hey Girls sanitary items - which helps fund products for girls and women in the UK who can’t afford them.

The social enterprise uses a buy one, give one free structure to distribute sanitary products which are unaffordable for some women and girls who live in 'period poverty'.

The products are to be available in 80 Waitrose branches from 13 August, including the two Guernsey stores. Guernsey will also benefit from the distribution of the period poverty kits from the main food bank in the island, but it will not benefit from educational workshops in schools on periods, which are also aimed at tackling the problem. Shoppers here will have the choice to support the scheme if they wish.

According to Hey Girls, one in ten girls in the UK struggle to afford tampons and pads.

The products are environmentally friendly, made from sustainable natural bamboo and corn fibre and come in a recyclable cardboard box. The modern and striking black and white design features girls who work or volunteer for Hey Girls. It also includes the National Domestic Violence free phone number on the inside of the box: 0808 2000 247. The 10 pack sanitary pad box costs £3.25.

Celia Hodson, Founder of Hey Girls, said:

“If you have to buy period products you may as well do something good with the cost. We set up Hey Girls to provide an alternative shopping experience for those wishing to make a difference with the items they purchase for themselves. By ‘buying social’ they are doing good directly via each pack they buy.”