VOLUNTEERS are hoping to make period poverty history in Rugby.
The Red Box Project Rugby community group has been set up to ensure no young woman misses school because of a lack of sanitary products when on her period.
The group is encouraging women in the community to donate sanitary products at one of their 20 donation points in shops, cafes, gyms and offices around the town.
The donations are distributed to local schools where they are kept in red boxes for girls who need them.
The schools’ boxes contain a range of sanitary items as well as spare pants, paper bags for discretion and posters to signpost the box.
Avon Valley, Bilton and Harris Schools already have boxes in place – and the project aims to get all secondary schools, primary schools and youth groups on board.
The Red Box Project Rugby coordinator Olivia Le Poidevin said: “It is disgraceful that one in 10 girls in the UK have been unable to afford sanitary products. We are determined that this will be the last generation of girls to suffer the indignity and embarrassment of period poverty.
“Overstretched teachers already take on the responsibility of helping pupils in need and schools keep small stocks of sanitary items for emergencies – but limited budgets mean they are usually able to hand out just a couple at a time.
“The Red Box Project supports disadvantaged young women throughout their period with as many sanitary products as they need, plus the added reassurance of a few left over to prevent a panic next month.
“No tearful panics in the loo, no wadded-up toilet roll, no anxious embarrassment, no missed lessons or staying at home – no missed education.”
Avon Valley head teacher Alison Davies said: “This is an excellent initiative and we are very pleased to have received our own red box which will be of benefit to our female students. I would encourage people, where possible, to make a donation and help end period poverty across the town.”
The Red Box Project started in Portsmouth a year ago. There are now over 725 red boxes in schools across the UK.
Visit www.facebook.com/theredboxprojectuk for more information on the national project, or search Facebook for ‘Red Box Project Rugby’ for more on the local group.
