Bournemouth University Offers Complimentary Menstrual Products to Students

To address period poverty, Bournemouth University in Dorset is making free menstrual products available to its students who are facing financial difficulties. Students at the university can now obtain tampons and sanitary towels directly on campus. The institution stated its intention to support students in their academic pursuits while they contend with elevated living expenses. These sanitary towels and tampons will be distributed across most buildings on both its Lansdowne campus and its Talbot campus in Poole, specifically in bathrooms and shared spaces. This program receives joint funding from the university and its students’ union, the latter of which began providing free sanitary products in the student centre building in 2018. The university characterized menstrual hygiene as a “fundamental aspect of wellbeing.” A spokesperson commented, “This new initiative is not just about providing free products – it’s about creating an inclusive and supportive environment where all students can engage fully at university without the burden of additional challenges related to menstruation.” Students were encouraged to exercise consideration and to only acquire a menstrual product when necessary. The selected products, provided by the period care company TOTM, are described as “better for the environment.” TOTM stated that its tampons, pads, and liners incorporate “sustainably-sourced certified organic cotton” and feature cardboard applicators as an alternative to plastic. In March, Newsbeat conducted interviews with 71 organizations, among them food banks and women’s centers, which distribute thousands of free menstrual products annually. Six out of ten of these organizations reported difficulties in meeting the demand for period products throughout 2023. For updates, BBC Dorset can be followed on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.