Period Dignity: A new initiative at Cardiff University

Last week, Cardiff students were able to pick up free sustainable period products from the Period Dignity stands across campus.

As part of the Uni’s Wellbeing Takeover, the stands gave out menstrual cups, pads and tampons as well as information on periods and menstrual health. The exciting campaign aims to tackle period poverty in a dignified and safe way for everyone who has periods, and also promotes sustainability.

All the products at the stand were provided by TOTM, who use only biodegradable materials and don’t test on animals.

As well as the stand, @cardiffstudents put together an informative and accessible video to reduce some of the stigma around periods: including irregular cycles, different flows, when to get abnormalities checked, and different options for period collection.

The video also reminded students that they can access free period products whenever they need them, in various locations across the SU, both single-use and reusable.

Period Dignity have set up access points across campus for students to gather any period products they may need. These are:

Single Use

• Welcome Centre, 2nd Floor SU building
• Toilets, 3rd Floor SU building
• Student Advice, 3rd Floor SU Building
• The Hub, Heath Park Campus

Menstrual Cups

• Student Advice, 3rd Floor SU Building

Crucially, the products are all available from gender-neutral areas, with members of Period Dignity saying: “all those who menstruate will be able to access products and manage their periods with dignity.”

Boxes like this give free access to period products around campus!

The Tab Cardiff spoke to some of the volunteers at the Park Place stand, who explained that menstrual cups come in different sizes to suit different bodies, and that they can last for up to ten years if looked after properly.

When you think about how the average person will have 450 periods in their lives, across about 40 years, investing in a reusable product seems pretty appealing.

To find out more, please visit Period Dignity’s page on The Cardiff SU website which is linked here.

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