Girls experiencing period poverty miss out on the activities that they love

Our goal to help #EndPeriodPoverty started in March 2018 and so far, with support from people across the country, Always has donated nearly 32 million period products to schools and youth groups.

We believe it’s important that girls have access to period products, even out of term time so they can take part in activities that help build their confidence and shape their future. We are launching a new donation drive, giving free product to UK Youth, a nationwide network of youth organisations that support and inspire 1.5 million young people.

We will also be donating product to our longstanding charity partner, In Kind Direct. This not-for-profit organisation distributes consumer goods, to UK charities, helping to ensure that everyone has access to life's essentials.

For every like or comment made on these artistic posts, until April 30th 2020, we will donate product to help a young person in need. Illustrators include the talented artist and activist, @florencegiven who is famous for her powerful slogans and striking female characters who embody self-love. For more details, join our community on Instagram @always_uk_ireland

You can also show your support by simply doing your monthly shop because for every pack purchased in *participating retailers, we will donate a further product.

A study among school girls was conducted by Always to understand what else, beyond a school education is being missed by those experiencing period poverty.

Sadly, 31% of girls admitted to avoiding out-of-school activities or sports as a direct result of period poverty, with 21% saying they lack confidence because they don’t take part in such groups or clubs. One in four girls have found themselves in an embarrassing public situation due to their period with no means of getting the necessary protection, with 27% refusing to leave the home altogether because they cannot afford period products.

Encouragingly, 48% of girls who now have access to free period products at school, said it has enabled them to take part in activities that they would usually miss out on. Schools have also told us that these products have helped with 80% agreeing that the free period products have helped reduce period poverty, helped girls feel more confident doing the activities they love, and improved girls’ confidence in talking about periods. 41% of schools also agreed that girls’ attendance has improved.

Our study of 1,500 women also found that more than a fifth of women believe they have been held back due to the fact they couldn’t always participate in extra-curricular past-times. 22% believe they now lack teamwork skills because of this and three in 10 believe it affected their ability to socialise.

In contrast, those who were lucky enough to take part in out-of-school activities reaped the benefits. 43% of women believe the skills they learnt in these clubs or groups, helped shared their career with half saying this has made them more confident as a person.

Survey Methodology - OnePoll surveyed 500 school girls between 10-18 years old and 1500 women from 10th-17th July 2019. The survey was conducted online via the OnePoll website, polling panel members who are paid to participate in surveys. Respondents were targeted using both personal profile data and screening questions in order to ensure the correct demographic was achieved.

Additionally, a survey of 291 educators in state secondary schools was conducted by We Are Futures. The survey was conducted in June 2019.

*Participating retailers – The 1 pack = 1 pad donation mechanic is available in the following retailers: Tesco from 11th March 2020 to 21st April 2020, Wilko from 13th March 2020 to 7th May 2020, Boots from 11th March 2020 to 5th May 2020, Co-Op from 8th April 2020 to 28th April 2020, Superdrug 26th Feb 2020 from 24th March 2020.

In Kind Direct distributes new consumer products, donated by retailers and manufacturers, to UK charitable organisations working here and abroad. Its unique service is a lifeline to thousands of charities helping vulnerable people, allowing organisations to spend more of their money on support, not supplies. In Kind Direct’s work helps ensure that everyone has access to life essentials and that no usable product goes to waste.