Bloody Good Period has launched its new “Take What You Need” scheme: a new program that works to provide refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable groups with essential period supplies during the Coronavirus outbreak.
At a time when stockpiling has resulted in a shortage of pads and tampons on some supermarket shelves[1], and with the nation facing prolonged home isolation in light of COVID-19,[2] the initiative is part of a nationwide effort by the charity to give vulnerable people vital access to period supplies. More than one in ten women already struggled to afford basic period supplies each month[3], and the pandemic has now caused panic buying in many shops – leaving many groups, including vital NHS workers, without. In the last week alone, Bloody Good Period has been contacted by several hospitals in desperate need of period products, and products have been swiftly delivered to ensure there’s one less thing for our frontline healthcare staff to worry about.
The supplies will be available to anyone who needs them from a collection point at Alexandra Palace. Regionally, the charity will continue to deliver items in bulk to non-London partners, wherever possible. These include services in Southampton, Hull, Newcastle and Cardiff.
Gabby Edlin, founder and CEO of Bloody Good Period, commented: “The panic buying of pads and tampons just goes to show how essential these items are to women and people who menstruate. But vulnerable groups, including asylum seekers who receive only £37.75 per week to live on, are already struggling to access what they need – you can’t bulk buy anything on £37.75. And we’re hearing, more and more, of NHS workers also not being able to get the products they need.
We’re already helping get supplies delivered to refuges, homeless shelters, food banks, and vital NHS staff, as well as to those who are in financial hardship as a result of the pandemic. We will need to replenish supplies frequently, so if people can, we are asking them please, if they are able, to donate via our website.”
The link to donate is: bloodygoodperiod.com/donate
Further updates and information on Bloody Good’s social media:
Instagram and Facebook – @bloodygoodperiod
Twitter – @bloodygood__
