Women unable to afford period products in the cost of living crisis are resorting to raiding public toilets and using wads of toilet paper as an alternative, according to a charity. It comes as a new 'hygiene bank' has been set up to give free products to people in need.
Hygiene Bank co-ordinator Leah Cooper says women are having to choose between paying bills, putting food on the table or buying hygiene products, reports GloucesterhireLive. The Hygiene Bank has projects across the country, including a recently established base in Gloucestershire.
Leah said: “The general cost of living has gone up so much and people are basically making sure they are paying their bills and putting food on the table first. Some may look to drop buying hygiene products from their shopping because of the extra cost.”
Leah said she is concerned about the mental health impact the situation could have on individuals if they are unable to buy essential hygiene items. She said: “So many people have been out of work and I feel there can be knock-on effects from not being clean. If someone were to go to an interview not being clean an employer could maybe not look so favourably on them-it is a real anxiety people can have.
“There is the element of period poverty and even though the supermarket own-brand pads are not really expensive, it is something women are going without. I have heard it is so bad for some, that some women are going to public toilets and wrapping up tissue to put in their pants instead of a sanitary towel.
“Some people really cannot afford these items and they are essential. We take donations for women's products, nappies and other household cleaning products because people are really struggling at the moment.”
To donate to the charity visit their Facebook or Just Giving pages.
