Period Friendly Places Finds a Home at the Vassall Centre

The Vassall Centre is proud to announce a new partnership with Period Friendly Places, strengthening our commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. As part of this, we provide free period products in toilets across the building. We also have gender-inclusive/neutral toilet and accessible facilities. Period Friendly Places are also using the Vassall Centre for storage and meetings to support their growing charity work, making the building a real hub for their mission.

We’re also delighted to support fellow Bristol-born company Grace & Green and their campaign to improve access to sustainable period products in workplaces – ensuring dignity and choice for everyone.

In this Q&A, we speak to Danny Cox, Chair of Period Friendly Places, about the movement, the importance of the Vassall Centre partnership, and what’s next for tackling period inequity.

For those new to Period Friendly Places, what’s your mission in a nutshell?

To eradicate period poverty: By providing access to free period products for those who cannot afford them; and educating by raising awareness of the issue and encouraging people to help us solve it.

Where there is energy and food poverty there is period poverty.

27% of girls overuse sanitary products as they couldn’t afford a fresh one, presenting significant hygiene and health risks.

•41.2% women and girls in Bristol have been affected by an inability to afford menstrual products in Bristol (national average of 27%).

What inspired you personally to get involved in this work?

My three daughters are lucky enough that they should never experience period poverty. But 1 in 5 of their friends will. It’s a really important issue and goes to the heart of inclusion: I could see I could use my skills, experience and contacts to make a difference.

Why is it so important to have a base at the Vassall Centre, and what difference does this partnership make?

The Vassell Centre provides a focal point for our work and bases us alongside likeminded people. The storage facility was super important as it allowed us to carry a stock of period products, bulk buy where we need to, and ensure a sustainable supply to the now 51 community venues we supply with product.

From your perspective, what does a truly “period friendly” workplace or community space look like?

One where period products are free to those who need them on a “help yourself to what you need basis”. The gold standard adds menstrual health training and education, policies and support.

How does the Vassall Centre’s commitment, free products in all toilets, gender-inclusive and accessible facilities, align with your vision?

Totally. This is about period dignity and removing one potential barrier to inclusion.

We’re also supporting Grace & Green’s campaign to improve workplace period products. What role do employers have in driving change?

Employers don’t charge employees to use toilet roll or hand soap, so why charge other basics like menstrual products. I’d encourage employers to work with their colleagues to understand how they can support menstrual health.

What’s one misconception about periods or period equity you’d love to put to rest?

That period poverty is exaggerated or doesn’t exist. In reality, it affects a huge number of people – around 20% of those who menstruate.

How can Bristol people and organisations get involved in supporting Period Friendly Places?

We are a very small charity and have no employees.

Individuals can help by:

• Volunteering
• Donating products at one of our donation sites Donate Period Products
• Donating money which we use to run the Charity and buy products when we need to Period Friendly Places – JustGiving

Organisations can help by:

• Hosting a donation bin for staff or the general public to donate products
• Offering volunteering opportunities for their staff/ networks
• Fund raising or donations; Charity of the Year nominations

Please do get in touch

Finally, most surprising thing you’ve learned doing this work?

It’s always amazing to see the generosity of ordinary people when we are doing our donation drives – the next one is Clifton Down Shopping Centre on 5th-6th December.