Sanitary protection when money is tight

When our fourth daughter was born a neighbour said, ‘Imagine what they will cost you in Tampax one day!’
We were very hard up when they were teenagers but I don’t remember sanitary products being a problem, perhaps they were much cheaper then.

this ancient op was picked up by a poster deleted by gransnet. It's a shame they don't then delete the op as it's from

2017. so eight years old

A simple pickup point system helped in my area. We kept boxes of pads in a quiet corner of the community centre and people could grab what they needed without talking to anyone. It removed the embarrassment problem and it worked even when resources were tight. Schools later agreed to keep small baskets in the toilets which made a big difference for the girls who kept missing class.

A group I belong to had a talk from someone who volunteered at a local food bank. They do provide sanitary products and nappies. Anyone who wants to use the food bank has to be referred by a doctor, vicar, or social worker or some other professional. My local Boots has a box for people to donate products.

Also consider older women with leajt bladders and Irritable Bladder Syndrome who need pads

Cheaper pads can be purchaed from Home Bargains, ALDI and Sainsbury.
in packs of 8

ninathenana

A dilema indeed as you say this help shouldn't be just for food bank users. However, that would be a start. Would it be feasable to bag up feminine hygiene products along with deodrants etc. and let those with vouchers help themselves to a nondiscript bag to add to their food box.
Maybe pharmacies could be a collection point for those not using food banks. Who would issue the vouchers though ?
A very worthy cause, good luck with finding a solution.

What a good idea. Sanitary products are an esseential necessity not a luxury.

Maybe companies like Boots and Superdrug coukd get involved. Or Tena Lady could donate some of their priducts to food banks

ninny

Gracesgran, Katek in her post said that you can get 24 Tampax for £1, I am sure even the most chaotic and poorest of our society can pay that for their daughters to have sanitary protection so they can attend school if they won't then they are unfit to be parents. Perhaps I am not as gullible and naive as you seem to be.

If parents can’t afford sanitary protection, they are unfit to be parents??? I have heard it all now!
What planet are you on? You show absolutely no empathy for anyone and just want to criticise and belittle parents who, in the main, are doing their best.
I don’t think you’d be missed if you took your nasty and unhelpful comments elsewhere!

Thanks Oreo, I do that too. But I wondered how they 'rise' from the Forum 'graveyard'?

Oreo

Maremia

A bit 'off post' but relevant. Why do so many Zombie Threads come back to life?

Because posters don’t notice the date on them.😁

Until after they've posted! 😁

Maremia

A bit 'off post' but relevant. Why do so many Zombie Threads come back to life?

Because posters don’t notice the date on them.😁

Sorry to say it, but knowing human nature, there are bound to be some mothers who think, 'Why should I bother to buy something when there are others giving it away?'
These days there are 'period knickers', which sounds disgusting but in the past women used to sew pads made of rags, which then had to be washed. Same with nappies. Cloth nappies are a better option than disposables, which were originally intended for occasional use anyway.

Allsorts you can drop them into food bank collection bins in supermarkets, or directly to charities such as All Yours by various methods.

www.allyoursbox.co.uk/donate

I would happily donate if I knew where I could.

I grew up using loo roll.between two pairs of knickers. Wouldnt wish that on any girl. Freebies in the school loos would have been ideal.

This thread is from 2017 . There is help for girls and woman to get free sanitary products now .

Litterpicker

Oops, rushed in without realising this is an old thread 🫤

But well worth reviving.

Should add:
First published:
28 May 2025
Last updated:
28 May 2025

RosieandherMaw

^What about the rest of the country? You mention England and Scotland....but, for instance, I see no mention of Wales. Does this not happen in Wales too?^
You tell us. You live there.

Free period products are now available in more public spaces across Wales, thanks to the Welsh Government’s £3.2 million Period Dignity fund.

This funding has transformed access to essential period products, now freely available not just in every school and college in Wales, but across hundreds of venues from libraries and leisure centres to food banks, sports clubs and youth hubs.

With aims to completely eradicate period poverty by 2027, the Welsh Government is determined that no one should miss education, work or social activities simply because they cannot afford or access period products.

Collection points are also in local chemists.

Oops, rushed in without realising this is an old thread 🫤

The Hygiene Bank, thehygienebank.com/ collects and distributes all types of hygiene products in partnership with local organisations which include women’s centres, local authority run Family Hubs, nurseries and schools.

The Scottish Parliament passed legislation in 2022, requiring local authorities to make free period products available in public buildings and schools/colleges run by local authorities

www.mygov.scot/free-period-products

You did well Ninny but disability, mental illness, including addiction, and poor housing mean that some families don’t cope and their members suffer.

A bit 'off post' but relevant. Why do so many Zombie Threads come back to life?

What about the rest of the country? You mention England and Scotland....but, for instance, I see no mention of Wales. Does this not happen in Wales too?
You tell us. You live there.

butterandjam

*Have any of you tackled this issue or have any ideas?*

In England. free supplies of sanitary products are available to all school age females.
In Scotland, they are available to all women, free.

Perhaps you should make notices to display your foodbank, informing its customers and staff how to obtain them.

What about the rest of the country? You mention England and Scotland....but, for instance, I see no mention of Wales. Does this not happen in Wales too?

I was certainly sympathising along with the comments here all round - all the more so as someone who had major problems with periods that were too long and too heavy from around my mid-30's until menopause!!!

Maremia

Be aware butterandjam, that most of these posts are from before the Covid era.

Luckily the information in my post is bang up to date.

Just noticed after posting that this thread is over 8 YEARS OLD.