Low-income families to get free period products delivered to their door
By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter
Cash-strapped families will be able to get period products delivered to their homes for free under a council scheme.
Free tampons and pads will also be available in libraries, leisure centres and community centres as part of the Lambeth council programme.
Town hall bosses have set aside ÂŁ50,000 to fund the initiative, which they think could help 1,500 people every year overcome period poverty in the borough.
Charities have warned officials that some women in Lambeth are struggling to afford sanitary products.
Under the scheme, residents with money struggles will be able to apply to receive free period products delivered to their home.
Their request will be read by a council official who will approve or decline it, depending on the person’s circumstances.
According to a council report, the delivery service would provide “a culturally-sensitive approach to de-stigmatising period poverty”.
It continues: “Residents will be provided with choice over their products and will be able to select sustainable options (for example Mooncups) to prevent further support being required and supporting zero-waste strategies.”
The sanitary products will be provided to the council at a discounted rate by a charity. Residents will also be encouraged to donate period products, which will then be made available to poorer families.
One in four girls in London are unable to afford period products, according to a 2022 survey by children’s charity Plan International UK. The organisation found girls were cutting down on food in order to be able to afford tampons and sanitary towels.
Neighbouring Southwark council agreed to consider proposals to provide free period products and sanitary bins in public toilets across the borough in November 2022, following a motion brought by a local Liberal Democrat councillor.
In March this year, Cllr Donna Harris, leader of Lambeth’s Liberal Democrat opposition, called on the Labour-run council to follow Southwark and agree to provide free sanitary products in all council buildings.
(Picture: Marco Verch/Flickr)
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