Leigh & District Soroptimist Club are celebrating following the Government’s decision this week to provide menstrual products to all secondary and primary schools in England from 2020.
Leigh Club has locally coordinated the Red Box Project with support from members of Tyldesley & Leigh Inner Wheel Clubs. The nationwide project aims to end Period Poverty by enabling girls to attend school who may not have the resources to obtain sanitary items.
This community driven project has involved organising 16 Donation points across the area, through the goodwill of businesses, where members of the community can donate menstrual products and underwear, which are then placed in Red Boxes and delivered to schools. Regular topping-up has been undertaken to 32 secondary and primary schools; and now the project has been extended to community hubs in the area to provide out of school provision. The response from schools has been both positive and appreciative of this initiative and raised the profile of Soroptimism.
Lynda Lilley the Coordinator who initiated the project on behalf of the Club says “I think we should be proud of our contribution as Soroptimists and members of Inner Wheel by influencing the outcome of the campaign for free period products to be available in schools, and showing there is a need”.
In the coming 12 months the service will continue locally until the Government Programme commences. If you know of a school in this area that would like a Red Box; please get in touch;
Facebook: Red Box Leigh
Email: redboxleigh@yahoo.com
