Norfolk group say they're making a "massive difference" in tackling period poverty
Hey Girls have donated more than 30 million of sanitary products as part of their “buy one, donate one” model
Last updated 16th May 2023
A family run group working in Norfolk have been telling us about how they're tackling the issue of period poverty.
Hey Girls, who have an office in Diss, have so far donated more than 30 million sanitary products as part of their “buy one, donate one” model, with products going to groups including women’s refuges, foodbanks and homeless shelters.
As it stands, 'Hey Girls' is the only social enterprise that donates 100% of profit towards ending period poverty.
What is Period Poverty?
The Royal College of Nursing defines it as "the lack of access to sanitary products due to financial constraints".
One in 10 people in the UK struggle to afford period products, according to Plan International.
"It's still very much underground"
Kate Smith is the Co-founder of Hey Girls:
"I would imagine that '1 in 10' statistic is worse because we have been through the pandemic, we have been through the cost of living crisis and we know that people are struggling more now than they ever have been.
"Talking about menstruation, in a really normal way, helps to end period poverty. It helps to open up those conversations with people saying they are really struggling. It's still very much underground, it's still a taboo subject that people don't like to talk about or don't feel comfortable to talk about.
"By opening up those conversations, especially with young people, it gives them the opportunity to say 'I haven't got adequate access to period poverty."
"You're not going to feel dignified or comfortable"
"If you haven't got any period protection how comfortable are you going to feel in school, how much are you going to participate in things like PE?
"You're not going to feel dignified or comfortable. Keeping kids in education by providing free period products and opening up those conversations is so important."
"Keeping kids in education, that's the main goal"
"We get so much feedback from our communities to say, what a massive difference this is making. Especially in schools, we work really hard with them. Keeping kids in education, that's the main goal."