Periods. The ‘p-word’. A word that is considered a taboo topic by many and is too often overlooked. In today's financial and political climates however, we need to talk about periods more than ever, and one Sheffield student-ran social enterprise group is doing just that. I sat down with Belle Capey, the project leader of Free Flow, to find out what the group is trying to accomplish.
Free Flow is a project part of the Enactus programme at the university that aims to educate people about period poverty and sustainable period products whilst tackling the stigma around menstrual health. The group’s mission is to sell reusable, chemical free and plastic-free pads both online and in shops around Sheffield and donate the profits to charities supporting disadvantaged menstruators.
You may be thinking ‘what even is period poverty?’, and you won’t be alone in thinking this. As Belle describes, “Period poverty is not something that’s ever mentioned. Food insecurity is mentioned, homelessness is mentioned, but period poverty is always the silent other thought.”
Chances are that those experiencing other forms of poverty are simultaneously suffering with period poverty, having little to no access to basic sanitary products. In most cases, if you can’t afford to heat your home, a horrible reality many UK citizens will be facing this winter, then your budget won’t automatically accommodate tampons. Imagine woefully dreading that time of the month, counting down the days until you are due to come on whilst not knowing how you are going to afford necessary products.
The group originally focused on tackling period poverty across the sea in India when first set up in 2019. However, due to communication challenges brought on by the pandemic, as well as the recent cost of living crisis forcing more people in Britain in period poverty, Free Flow decided to re-brand this year and turn their aid to Sheffield. The problem isn’t four thousand miles away in a different continent, it’s on our doorstep.
On average, someone on their period in the UK will spend around £10 per month on sanitary products, which many people simply cannot budget for; the stats are alarming.
“I recently did a pitch where I had to research facts about period poverty” Belle explained. “And there was a report that said there was a 600% increase in the need for period products in food banks and homeless shelters, which is an astonishing figure.”
Free Flow provides a sustainable, machine washable period product rather than a typical single-use pad for a number of reasons, the primary two being that reusable products will offer a long-term solution to those suffering in period poverty and that the products they sell to others will produce less waste than regular pads. Reusable period products are both financially and environmentally more sustainable, but are themselves frowned upon.
“It’s hard with sustainable products because people look at them and think they are really gross,” said Belle. “Obviously, they are reusable, and most people find that really uncomfortable, which is very valid. That is why we are doing the education as well, to try and make it less gross.”
Free Flow has active social media accounts and a blog where they post a myriad of educational resources, not only focusing on period poverty. They have articles and Instagram stories covering everything from PCOS and endometriosis to how to deal with period cramps and how to deal with hormonal changes. Their mission is to get the conversation about menstruation started.
It hasn’t been easy spreading their message. “A lot of the time, people will just hear the word ‘period’ and think ugh it’s just girls talking about their periods again,” Belle says. “One thing that weirdly we have found that’s really good about [Free Flow] is that we have a few boys on the project as well, so when we do events, it normally makes people pay more attention.
“It’s obviously not a great thing, but it means that boys are also paying attention because they see these boys coming to talk about it with us and then think it's something they should also know about.”
Misogyny and sexism aren’t the only barriers holding Free Flow back. Far throughout history, periods have not been a socially acceptable conversation topic. People with periods may share an understanding glance when standing at the till, a packet of pads and paracetamol in hand, but they wouldn’t ask each other how to deal with their cramps or how to know when to use a light, regular or super tampon depending on flow. These are things we are just expected to know, like some biological instinct.
Belle admitted she herself is still learning how to manage her own period.
“I’m 20 and I still don’t know how to manage it properly,” she said. “I’m still up and down and changing, but that is how everyone is. You’re not going to wake up every day and feel great but there is stuff you can do to help and combat that.
“We just want to broaden people’s assumptions about periods and challenge the preconceptions people have and the stigma around it, because it is not helping anyone.”
You can find Free Flow on Instagram under the username @OurFreeFlow and a link to their website and blog in their bio. Get involved; their DM’s are always open for any questions, no matter how broad or specific. All proceeds generated through the sale of their pads will be donated to local food banks. Their page is a library of invaluable resources to learn about menstruation.
Talking about periods will be the first step to raising awareness about period poverty. We need to understand the severity of the issue and actively contribute to tackling it. Actions are ignited by education and words.
Edited by Imogen Bowlt