Women and young girls across North Herts who are experiencing 'period poverty' have been given a boost thanks to the efforts of North Herts District Council's Healthy Hub and Morrisons supermarket

Period Poverty is a very real issue in the UK with 1 in 10 women and girls unable to afford to buy essential menstrual products. With more and more people facing significant financial pressures as a result of the pandemic, cases of women and girls being unable to provide for themselves have risen sharply.

The situation has worsened during the pandemic, with many of these women and girls being unable to access services that would normally be able to provide support.

The Healthy Hub in North Herts, which receives funding from Hertfordshire County Council and is run by North Herts District Council, reached out to organisations in the district and received a kind donation from Morrisons in Letchworth.

Alongside the Healthy Hubs own generous donation, they have been able to supply seven local charities and support groups with sanitary products to support the women they work with.

Councillor Judi Billing, NHDC's Executive Member for Community Engagement said: "The coronavirus outbreak is having a devastating impact on family finances. Girls and women are facing widespread shortages on period products, with the result that many are being forced to make do with whatever they can find to manage their period.

"Not having access to a safe and hygienic way to deal with menstruation can have profound consequences; particularly on a girl's education, in terms of missing school, feeling less able to pay attention in class, and ultimately affecting a child's potential to succeed.I am glad that with the support of Morrisons we are able offer help at this critical time."

The hub is always keen to work with more local organisations. If you would like to find out more information on how to provide or access donations, contact the Healthy Hub on [email protected], 01462 474111.

For further information contact NHDC Senior Communications Officer Sarah Jenkinson on [email protected] or tel 01462 474210