The Period Poverty campaign was launched by the Scottish Government nationally in August 2018.
Our aim is to eradicate period poverty in Angus and Free Period Angus is the Angus Community Planning Partnership programme to deliver on the local vision.
Visit the Free Period Angus website
Download a PDF copy of the statement
1. Introduction
The Angus Community Planning Partnership have been delivering on the Scottish Government requirement to provide free period products throughout the area since2018. The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 was given royal assent on 12th January 2021. The Act requires local authorities to ensure period products (like pads and tampons) can be accessed free of charge and for anyone who needs them.
Period products must be easy to obtain and provided in a way that respects the dignity of those obtaining the products. In addition, there must be a reasonable choice of different products available.
Each responsible body must, as soon as reasonably practicable, prepare a written statement describing the plans for provision. The statement must be prepared in consultation with relevant individuals, groups and organisations.
The consultation must seek information to inform decisions about:
- the way products may be made available
- the types of products required
- the premises where the products will be available
- the location of products in those premises
2. Angus statement of intent
Since the announcement in 2018 for Local Authorities to provide free period products to those in need in Angus the Community Planning Partnership has led this work with the support and input of local people. The activity is now delivered under the banner of Free Period Angus providing innovation around sustainable products and co-producing period poverty solutions with local people.
This is the Angus Council Statement of Community-Based Provision.
On the basis of funding being made available by the Scottish Government:
Angus Community Planning Partners are committed to eradicating Period Poverty in Angus. We will deliver universal access to products, increase education around period poverty and develop a regional and sustainable legacy
We will do this by:
- Engaging and consulting with people in our communities, colleges and schools who require products to determine local needs
- Building on the work of Free Period Angus to create a sustainable legacy through educational resources, strong partnerships and a shared vision not just for Angus but across the region
- Working with organisations, groups and individuals to reach as many people in our communities that would benefit the most from this free provision
- Utilising the network of the partners in the Community Planning Partnership to identify premises and distribution methods for providing access in a way that maintains the dignity of those seeking access to period products
- Working with a wide range of community groups to identify new and innovative solutions to eradicating period poverty
- Regularly reviewing the levels of demand and supply to maximise the impact of funding and support provided; providing information about what period products are available, where and how they can be obtained.
3. Consultation and engagement
As part of the Scottish Government guidance a consultation exercise was done from November 2021 – February 2022 building on the 2020 Citizens Survey to ensure that the views of our communities were part of the long-term plan. In total1,386 responses were received with the consultation highlighting the following:
The products being distributed in Angus suit the needs of local people and having the products in locations throughout the area alongside the option to have products delivered directly has to date worked effectively to tackle period poverty.
The Survey results showed that over the last 12 months:
67% of respondents advised that Free Period Angus had raised awareness of where products could be collected or how to order them
63% of respondents advised that Free Period Angus had raised awareness of period poverty in general across the area
38% of respondents advised that Free Period Angus had raised awareness of period poverty in general across the area
56% of respondents knew where to get products if they needed them
21% of respondents advised an inability to access period products stopped them going to school or work
30% of respondents reported having to choose between buying period products and other items such as food, nappies
20% of respondents reported that covid-19 impacted their ability to afford or access period products
58% of respondents have made a shift to using re-useable products in the past 12 months
68% of respondents have had products sent direct to them through Free Period Angus
92% of respondents advised they now know what is meant by period poverty which was an increase in 40% since the initial survey in 2020
87% of respondents advised Free Period Angus has been an essential service for the people of Angus throughout the pandemic
4. Next steps
Free Period Angus has and continues to be a model used throughout Scotland as good practice. Through the survey results and continued engagement work the aim is to build on the work done to date and work towards a sustainable model of product distribution. Project work includes:
Product Distribution
Continued distribution of products through existing locations with a campaign to encourage more business premises to be part of the Period Positive Employer Scheme throughout 2022/23.
Caring for the Environment and Reducing Poverty
Encourage the use of re-useable products as part of the drive to care for the environment and reduce poverty. (80% of survey respondents advised they have been thinking about becoming more sustainable and eco friendly).
Engagement and Co-Production
Refresh the Red Tent Events now that pandemic restrictions have eased to include face to face sessions. This includes supporting the network of support groups in place to support with menstrual wellbeing i.e. menopause cafes, endometriosis support groups.
Educational Resources
Build on the legacy work done to date in partnership with D&A College to provide along term educational resource that can be used in Schools, Colleges, Universities and throughout our communities.
Regional approach
Work across the region to provide a Tayside Wide offer for local people which will provide a consistent approach to period poverty in Dundee, Angus & Perth and Kinross. Initially through a joint funded post for 2 years.
Engagement and Co-Production
Refresh the Red Tent Events now that pandemic restrictions have eased to include face to face sessions. This includes supporting the network of support groups in place to support with menstrual wellbeing i.e. menopause cafes, endometriosis support groups.
Over 40% of survey respondents advised that throughout the last 12 months they had been unable to afford period products. In Angus we have a priority to eradicate poverty therefore to ensure no person experiences period poverty again the partnership will drive the proposals forward and report on progress as part of the Community Plan Annual Performance Report.