A new pilot project in Shotts has began distributing period products free of charge.
Getting Better Together Shotts (GBT) are running the one year project, The Cycle, which will support North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) with the supply of sanitary products to people in Shotts and wider locality.
The plan is to use electric bikes as a mode of active travel which will support the delivery of products to local customers.
A GBT spokeswoman said: “We asked for funding to put in place a programme which makes sanitary products freely available throughout the community and helps to protect people’s dignity and avoid stigma.
“It is also in our efforts to change cultural norms around menstruation and promote an environmental consciousness through delivery.
“A relevant member of the cycling staff team will check-in regularly to manage all the local deliveries which will use e-bikes to transport the products in a professional manner to the customer.
“In addition to our e-bike delivery service, we will work with local partners to create wide range of access points in the locality which can be used for collection (Paul’s Parcels, Shotts Salvation Army, NCT, Gowkthrapple Centre Point, Made4u in ML2).
“Schools will also be a point of contact for referrals who might be identified as in need.
“We anticipate our project will need volunteer support to help with deliveries therefore we want to offer training such as cycling leader qualifications, and awareness raising around menstruation and period dignity.”
NLC have awarded £10,000 worth of funding for the project.
NLC’s deputy leader, Councillor Paul Kelly, said: “We’re pleased to be working partnership with Getting Better Together (GBT) Shotts to deliver a period dignity outreach project to ensure people in outlying rural areas can have access to free period products.
“In other communities and towns, we are working hard to have products available in our health centres, leisure and sports facilities, community centres, libraries and nurseries as well as some of our third sector organisations and schools.”
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