Greenwich council to offer free sanitary products to combat period poverty

Free sanitary products will be available at Thamesmere and Plumstead leisure centres during a three-month trial.

If the scheme is successful, it could be expanded to more leisure centres across the borough. 

Not having access to sanitary products is not only a health issue but can affect people’s well-being, education and entire lives.

Greenwich councillor, Adel Khaireh, said: “More than 25 per cent of people in the UK choose to not partake in physical activity due to not having access to tampons or sanitary towels.

“Being active positively impacts our physical and mental health and to know such a huge chunk of people are sitting out of sports due to not having the right access to period products is something we must work towards to change.”

The council said the cost-of-living crisis is also forcing families to make decisions on where to cut costs, with more people struggling to afford the essentials, such as hygiene products.

(Picture: Greenwich council)