15th August 2022 saw the introduction of the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act, which requires councils and education providers to provide period products available to anyone who needs them free of charge; the first legislation in the world to make it a legal right to access free period products.
Whilst Scotland are the first government in the world to introduce the legal requirement to free sanitary products, providing free sanitary products is something that Jackson Boyd’s nominated charity, Simon Community Scotland, has been doing for some time through their Period Friendly Project.
Simon Community Scotland introduced the Period Friendly Project in 2017, providing free period products for those experiencing homelessness. Those requiring the service often cannot afford period products nor have access to facilities to keep themselves clean. Simon Community aim to give people a “period of dignity” by providing free sanitary products at a Period Friendly Point in a safe, clean environment. Period packs are prepared by volunteers and dropped off at the various Period Friendly Points throughout the city. Jackson Boyd’s own Lauren Tighe has been a Period Friendly volunteer for some time now, regularly preparing packs and dropping them at Bellahouston and Scotstoun Leisure Centre. If you are interested in volunteering with Simon Community, get in touch with them via their website.
(Period packs being made up by Lauren, dog not included)
