Did you know that 1 in 10 people can't afford to buy their menstrual products?
Period poverty is on the rise and a local charity is trying to tackle the issue.
Girl Pack MK is a local charity helping anyone who is in need of sanitary towels and underwear. Their girl packs are available in Schools, community/children's and family centres and local council offices all over MK.
The charity was formed around 4 years ago when two Milton Keynes teenagers decided 'enough is enough', and that period poverty needed to end.
Over the last year, the charity has delivered over 1500 packs into the community over the last year, in what they have called the busiest year so far.
As well as supporting local residents, the charity has donated 6 boxes (288 packets) of sanitary towels and 4 large bags of sanitary items to the Ukraine appeal. 130 of their girl packs were also donated to Afghan refugees when they came to MK.
Since the beginning of this week, the new Co-op store in Kingsmead, has been collecting donations for the charity, a spokesperson wrote today: "Amazing to see the growing support of our community just over a couple of days of setting up the station for Girl Pack! Thank you all so much, you're the best!"
Girl Packs are available to residents from the following places:
Primary Schools: (staff and students only)
- Emerson Valley Primary School
- Langland Primary School - Netherfield
- Moorland Primary School - Beanhill
- New Chapter Primary School - Coffee Hall
- St Bernadette's - Monkston Park
- St Mary's Primary School - Eagle Farm/Wavendon
- Willen Primary School
- Broughton Fields Primary School - Broughton
Secondary Schools: (staff and students only)
- Milton Keynes Academy - Leadenhall
- Leon School - Bletchley
- Lord Grey - Bletchley
- Oakgrove - Middleton
- Radcliffe - Wolverton
- St Pauls - Leadenhall
- Stantonbury International - Stantonbury
- Milton Keynes College - Chaffron Way Campus (YiS Office)
Parish Councils:
- Woughton Community Council - Coffee Hall
- Walton Community Council - Walnut Tree
- Stantonbury Parish Council - Bradville
- Broughton and Milton Keynes Parish Council - Oakgrove
- Campbell Park Parish Council - Fishermead
- Community/Family/Children's Centres:
- Conniburrow Children's Centre
- Daisychain Children's Centre - Bletchley
- Hummingbird Children's Centre - Broughton
- Moorlands Family Centre - Beanhill
- Pebbles Children's Centre - Fishermead
- Rainbows Children's Centre - Bradville
- Rowans Family Centre - Fullers Slade
- Saplings Children's Centre - Bletchley
- Sunshine Children's Centre - Furzton
Community Fridge's and Larders:
- Netherfield Community Fridge - Church on Broadmead
- Tinkers Bridge Community Larder - Tinkers Meeting Place
- Coffee Hall Community Fridge - Community Hub
The charity wrote on Facebook: "Remember Girl Packs are free and available to everyone no matter the circumstance."
Girl Pack currently has vacant positions for 5 trustees.
What they're looking for:
- people who have the spare time to help organise, apply for and attend fundraising events.
- Someone with social media experience.
- Accounting experience.
- Someone with experience of applying for grants and other forms of funding.
- People who have a passion for helping other people
- Website creation experience (including email software).
Girl Pack say: "You do not have to identify as female to apply for this role we are particularly interested in hearing from those in the LGBTQ+ community and men who have experience of the above. You do however, have to be local to Milton Keynes.
"You don't have to have all this experience but if you have one of the above and fancy having a go please email info@girlpack.org for an application form."
You can support Girl Pack by donating to their JustGiving page or purchasing items from their Amazon Wish List.
