Period poverty scheme

Period poverty is a term that refers individuals being unable to access period products due to financial constraints, stigma or availability. Action Aid report that national period poverty rates have nearly doubled since the pandemic.

You can find out more about the impact of period poverty in UK Higher Education in Higher Education Policy Institute's 2024 blog.

We know that period poverty can impact various elements of students' experience at university, including the ability to engage with teaching and extra-curricular activities. Keele University provides free access to period products to students facing financial difficulties, to ensure that students who menstruate can make the most of their time at university.

Any Keele University student who menstruates is able to use the scheme, if they are struggling to afford period products.

The following disposable period products are available:

• Regular pads
• Regular tampons
• Super pads
• Super tampons

Funded through Keele Key Fund, Student Services are also able to offer 50 students a pack of re-usable sanitary pads, so that they are able to try out a more sustainable option. Due to the limited number available, these will be offered on an application-based first-come, first-served basis and students will only be able to receive one pack. You can find more information below.

Students can discreetly collect period products from the following areas on campus:

• Campus Library
• Chapel
• Clinical Education Centre Library (Royal Stoke Hospital)
• Denise Coates Foundation Building
• Islamic Centre
• Student Services Hub
• Students' Union

If you notice that a collection point is empty, please let Student Services know.

Funded through Keele Key Fund, Student Services are also able to offer 50 students a pack of re-usable sanitary pads, so that they are able to try out a more sustainable option. Due to the limited number available, these will be offered on an application-based first-come, first-served basis and students will only be able to receive one pack.

To support the evaluation of the scheme, we will ask all participants to complete an anonymous evaluation survey to help us to understand the impact of access to sustainable period products.

There are a range of new types of period products available in the UK, which are more sustainable than single-use pads and tampons. Items such as re-usable pads, period pants and menstrual cups can be a good way to reduce your impact on the environment and save money on a month-to-month basis, but can be more expensive to purchase initially.

You can purchase re-usable period products from a variety of stores including health and beauty stores (such as Boots and Superdrug), some clothing retailers (such as Primark and M&S) and online retailers.