Oswestry Town Council has teamed up with social enterprise Hey Girls to trial free period product dispensers in two public locations in the town centre, as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting people.
From August, dispensers stocked with free period products will be available in the public toilets at the Guildhall and Indoor Market. Posters encouraging people to “take what you need” will be displayed wherever the products are available, and the locations will be added to PickupMyPeriod, a national app that maps sites offering free period products – currently, the nearest registered location is the Wellbeing Hub in Wrexham.
The pilot, agreed by councillors in May and championed by Oswestry Youth Forum, will run with an initial stock of 2,000 products across the two sites. The trial will allow the Council to understand how long supplies last, how often dispensers need restocking, and what ongoing running costs and operational needs look like, helping shape any future rollout.
Nationally, an estimated 1 in 10 people in the UK cannot access or afford period products, a barrier that affects education, employment and mental health. Despite the removal of VAT on period products in 2020, affordability remains a real and ongoing issue.
Mayor of Oswestry Cllr Jonathan Upton said the pilot was unanimously supported by Council to help make sure period products reach the people who need them. He said: “These are essential items, not luxuries. It is important that anyone who needs them can find a supply where they can take what they need with dignity.”
A representative of Oswestry Youth Forum said: “Period dignity is about breaking the stigma around periods, raising awareness of the range of products available, and ensuring that everyone has free and equal access to good-quality products. Providing free period products is a small gesture that will help build a more inclusive, compassionate and equal community.”
The Council hopes the pilot will encourage other local businesses, community venues and organisations across Oswestry to consider how they can improve access to period products, helping remove stigma and ensure everyone can manage their period with dignity, whether they live in the town or are visiting. For more information visit: www.heygirls.co.uk
