In an effort to ensure period dignity and to eliminate period poverty Undeb Bangor – Bangor University Students’ Union has launched a Period Poverty and Dignity Pilot Scheme that provides access to free period products across its campuses for all Bangor University students who menstruate.
This Pilot Scheme is part of a wider initiative with Bangor University, funded by the Higher Education Council for Wales (HEFCW). The scheme recognises the importance of ensuring period dignity for the well-being and health of students and ensuring students’ academic and general university experience isn’t compromised by a lack of access to products or support.
The scheme has established two methods of access for students: a home delivery service and on campus provision.
Periods don’t stop in a pandemics and campus closures and restricted facilities left many students without basic period care, therefore as of January students have been able to request free Hey Girls period packs to their homes.
Results from an initial student survey highlighted a keen interest in a diverse range of environmentally friendly products. Consequently, reusable period pants, pads, and menstrual cups together with single-use plastic-free pads and tampons were offered through home delivery from January to April. A total of 463 students having ordered products, of which 74% accessed reusable products.
On campus distribution of period products was recently launched alongside the easing of restrictions and the return of some students to campus for blended learning. 100% plastic free applicator tampons and pads are freely available, ensuring no student is caught short on campus. As part of the scheme’s effort to be inclusive of all those who menstruate, regardless of gender, products are available in a range of male, female, gender neutral and accessible toilets across campus as well as the two Halls Offices and Bar Uno (the student bar).
Katie Tew, VP Societies & Volunteering said: “Access to period products should be a right, period products are a necessity and not a luxury and we have introduced this scheme to lead the way in tackling period poverty, ensuring students can easily access period products, which is why this funding from Welsh Government through HEFCW has been so essential to support this pilot scheme.
Although implemented by Undeb Bangor the scheme is largely student-led, and its nature and activities are informed by feedback and input from student surveys and regular meetings with the Student Steering Group
Alongside the provision of free period products, the scheme has 3 mission objectives that it hopes to achieve through the social media campaign and events; to inspire, educate and empower students on all thing’s menstruation.
