Ulverston Town Council are delighted to be supporting the End Period Poverty Scheme by introducing free sanitary products in toilets in the town.

Mayor of Ulverston, Michelle Scrogham, has funded the relaunch of the scheme in the town through her Mayors Charity Fund.

She said “I had hoped that following Scotland’s decision to provide free sanitary ware in all public buildings, England would follow suit. When people are choosing between heating and eating, sanitary products become a luxury that’s low on the priority list, often resulting in women and young girls being stuck at home. This can have a devastating effect on their education and opportunities at work, leaving the poorest in society at an unfair disadvantage.”

The original scheme was set up by former Cllr Shirley-Anne Wilson and Cllr Sharon Webster who said “It’s almost 4 years since we launched the red box campaign for donations of sanitary wear, but sadly, Period Poverty is still here. Women and Girls are again finding it hard to buy sanitary wear and with cost of living rising this is a big worry. The period poverty agenda seems to have lost some of its momentum and we need to ensure that girls and women have free access without suffering shame or embarrassment. We are in 2023 and this issue needs addressing. There are pockets of deprivation in all areas of Cumbria and Barrow and South Lakeland are no different.”

Free sanitary products are now available from the toilets inside the Indoor Market, the public toilets at Gill Banks car park and the toilets inside The Coro.