PERIOD poverty in Northwich and Winsford could be fast becoming a thing of the past.
Health and wellbeing charity, Motherwell Cheshire, is seeking to make the area ‘a beacon for period dignity’ by breaking down taboos around menstruation, and providing sanitary items free of charge.
It’s current campaign, Period Dignity, is now winning some high-profile support in public spaces across the borough.
Cheshire West and Chester (CWAC) libraries and Brio leisure centres, including Winsford Lifestyle Centre and Northwich Memorial Court, have now agreed to act as drop-off points for period products donated by the public.
All will have pink collection bins in place for donations of hygiene products, which the charity’s period dignity community champions then collect and distribute to schools, community organisations, and sporting groups.
The charity uses donations to create period dignity packs, which contain tampons, pads, hand sanitiser, cleansing wipes, and reusable period items such as menstrual cups and reusable pads.
All Brio’s centres will have collections points, as well as Northwich, Winsford, Frodsham, Chester, and Ellesmere Port libraries.
Motherwell Cheshire founder, Kate Blakemore, said: “We’re on a mission to make Cheshire a period dignity county.
“So far, we have supplied 70 community groups with stock and 25 sport groups with products so everyone has access to hygiene essentials.
“But period poverty is more than just not being able to afford sanitary towels or tampons. It’s about changing the narrative around periods.
“They need to stop being a big secret, so they can be talked about without fear of stigma or shame.
“We also need to be honest about the impact. Periods can be painful, tiring and emotionally draining.
“I hear from women all the time who call in work with stomach bugs or migraines rather than stating its menstrual cramps or sickness.
“Our aim is to provide dignity sports bags to all women and girls teams and dignity baskets in workplaces.
“And we’re linking with schools to make period products easily accessible, as we know girls are often too shy to ask for them at reception.
“Our heartfelt thanks go to Brio Leisure and CWAC library service for all their help in creating these collection points, and raising profile of this important campaign.”
CWAC cabinet member, Nathan Pardoe, praised all those involved in the project.
He said: “The Period Dignity project will help to tackle period poverty by providing essential supplies to women and girls in need in Winsford and Northwich, and will help change the narratives about periods through honest conversations about their impact.
"Thanks to Motherwell Cheshire and the Cheshire Women’s Collaboration for making this important project happen."
Motherwell Cheshire is also rolling out an extension to some of its other services in Winsford.
Edna’s Laundrette, a free washing and drying facility at New Images Youth and Community Centre, has become a venue for women’s drop in sessions focusing on health, family law, and safety.
The charity is introducing courses including New Life and Me for post-natal mums, Recovery Toolkit for survivors of domestic abuse, and slow cooker meals on a budget.
For more on the Period Dignity campaign, and various ways Motherwell Cheshire supports women and girls in the area, visit its website.
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