Local government partner celebrates 30 million period product donations

A social enterprise partnering with local authorities across the UK is celebrating after donating 30 million period products to vulnerable people.

The team at Hey Girls, who aim to eradicate period poverty in the UK, reached the major milestone this month after just five years of trading.

The multi-award-winning social enterprise operates on a “buy one, donate one” model – meaning a box of its period products is donated to community partners like foodbanks, homeless shelters and women’s refuges for every one purchased by local authorities.

Local authorities it works with include Belfast City Council, Cardiff Council and Fife Council.

Celia Hodson founded the business with her daughters Kate and Bec after the family personally experienced the hardships of period poverty.

Speaking after reaching the milestone, she said the business will not slow down while people continue to endure similar experiences.

She said: “All of us are absolutely thrilled to reach such a major milestone.

“In five years we have helped reshape the attitude towards periods in the UK and played our role in breaking the taboo.

“But our work is far from over. The cost of living crisis has seen more people fall into period poverty and they need our help.

“We are incredibly thankful to all our valued local authority partners for helping us reach 30 million donations – but we won’t be celebrating for long. Now is the time for action.”

One in 10 people in the UK are affected by period poverty, a situation that has worsened with the economic crisis.

Brian Borland, Community Participation Project Officer at South Lanarkshire Council said: “Congratulations Hey Girls on reaching your milestone!

“South Lanarkshire Council are pleased to have partnered up with Hey Girls to provide residents access to free period products in South Lanarkshire.”

Other customers outside of local government include those in the construction, facilities and education sectors.

Their purchases are matched with a donation to Hey Girls’ network of more than 250 community partners – a number continuing to grow.

Away from selling products, the Hey Girls team also work hard to lobby governments and local authorities to bring forward positive change.

Celia added: “So much has changed since we first started – and the passing of the Period Products Act in Scotland is proof that a fairer world is possible.

“That historic day is one that will stay with us forever, but now is the time for the rest of the country to follow suit and achieve period equality once and for all.”

More information on Hey Girls and how to join their fight against period poverty can be found at www.heygirls.co.uk.

Image credit: Hey Girls