Local group raises £500 over lockdown to combat period poverty in Southampton.
It’s a basic product that every woman needs. But for many, period poverty is a real issue that affects their wellbeing and health.
The ‘Homeless Period Southamptons’ work has meant that many women now have access to the products they need. The group recently organised the collection of over 600 loose pads and raised £500 from donations.
In the UK it is estimated that women spend £20,000 on sanitary products. According to the ‘Homeless Period Southampton’, women living in poverty will use socks, rags and crisp packets as makeshift pads.
Louanne Jones, the group leader, said: “It’s embarrassing, it’s dehumanising, and if nothing else everyone deserves to have access to essential products.”
In Southampton there are over 700 homeless people and over 10,000 children living in poverty.
Louanne said: “Period poverty is only a small part of the wider problems that people in poverty face, and the idea behind The Homeless Period is to support the charities that make a direct impact combatting those wider problems.”
The group has provided several charities with sanitary products and for the first time, they have been contacted by GP’s and social workers about individual cases.
Louanne added: “I think ending period poverty is all part of education and awareness as much as it is helping out individual people.
“We need to have more conversations with women and men about what it is, why these products should be free and that it’s not embarrassing.”
Satvir Kaur, Cabinet Member for Culture & Homes, said: “I’m pleased that in Southampton, we’ve been able to join forces with health care providers and local charities to make a collective effort to protect rough sleepers from COVID-19 and support them with their wider needs.”
