Renewed commitment to tackling period poverty in North Lanarkshire

Since last summer free products have been distributed across hundreds of community centres, leisure centres, libraries, voluntary and community sector organisations, faith organisations, food banks and food co-operatives.

Now, North Lanarkshire Council wants to ensure even more people can benefit by making them available in community outlets, schools/community hubs, Early Learning and Childcare Centres and NHS Lanarkshire (North) establishments.

In addition, an agreement is also in place to provide products within NHS Lanarkshire health centres and GP surgeries, subject to Covid-19 safety guidance.

The aim of the project is to make the service as inclusive as possible and accessible to all.

Councillor Heather Brannan-McVey, convener of Housing and Regeneration, said: “Period poverty is a real issue in Scotland, with many people struggling to pay for sanitary products.

“That’s why we’re agreeing this new contract and providing funding to broaden the scheme and increase access to include a further 82 outlets.

“We’ve already had positive feedback from across our communities where these free products are available, and these are making a real difference to their day to day lives.

“We’re also looking at sustainable items too and introduced a selection of environmentally friendly products to test demand.

“By making products available, free, in council buildings in our communities and now in health centres and doctors’ surgeries, we’re making a positive, practical difference to anyone who menstruates and, we hope, removing some of the stigma around the issue.”

The current contract will ran for an initial two years and the council reserves the right to extend it until 2024, subject to continuation of Scottish Government funding.