Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has installed free period product dispensers across all of its sites as part of an initiative to combat period poverty for employees.
Known as ‘We’re by your Side. Period’, the initiative has seen 50 dispensers with tampons and pads installed and boxes of supplies placed in its community centres.
Driven and promoted by the trust’s Women’s Staff Network, which aims to provide an open forum for employees and looks at ways to improve their experience and confidence within the workplace, the period poverty dispensers are aimed at helping to relieve stress for staff who are managing their period while at work.
With an 82% female workforce, the initiative was put in place by the trust to support staff and promote conversations about period health. It is also accepting donations of period products at its designated wellbeing hubs.
Raffaela Goodby, chief people officer at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We want to support our employees as much as we can, to take away some worries and anxiety they may face, to ensure they can offer the very best to those they care for and support.
“This new initiative, which has been driven by our Women’s Network, is another example of how we’re trying to be by the side of our people as much as we can and shine a light on the stigmas and secrecy of periods, heavy bleeding and other issues that affect how our colleagues feel at work. We’re delighted by the initial feedback it has received from colleagues right across our trust.”
The trust has also implemented paid leave for those who experience pregnancy loss or preterm birth, new wellbeing hubs as a place to rest and recharge, and free breakfasts and subsidised lunches in its restaurants to help its workforce during the cost-of-living crisis.