THE PUBLIC are being asked to help tackle period poverty by donating products to those in need.

East Sussex County Council’s Library Service are now accepting donations of tampons, pads and reusable period products at all 17 of its libraries.

Since January unopened sanitary products have been made available for people to take discreetly, and without any proof of eligibility, from Eastbourne and Hastings libraries.  Items are now also available from Newhaven and Hailsham libraries.

Cllr Claire Dowling, the county council’s lead member for transport and environment, said: “Sadly there are women and girls still having to use makeshift products or miss work or school because they can’t afford to buy period products.

“We are delighted to be able to work with communities to ensure those people in need have a way to discreetly collect free products from library buildings and reduce disruption to their daily lives.

“While all libraries are accepting donations, items can only be currently be collected by those in need from four of our libraries. We have already seen how many people this initiative can help, and we hope that with the generosity of people in East Sussex we will soon be able to make donated products available for people to collect from even more of our buildings.”

Since launching the project at the beginning of the year, the library team have so far handed out more than 200 bags of free period products at Eastbourne Library, and more than 40 bags at Hastings Library.

Those collecting products are also provided with information on local health support as well as library services, and a website has been set up to share more information about period poverty.

To find out more about period poverty and the scheme, visit https://eastsussex.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/MSGTRNGEN/WPAC/SPOTLIGHT?HOMEPRMS=UD_periodbank

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