When money is limited, and people have to choose between whether to pay for their heating or food, it is often the case that they are going without other basic but essential items too, like shampoo, washing powder and period products. Not having access to period products can have an impact on mental health and wellbeing, and negatively affect overall self-confidence.
The Bread and Butter Thing are aware of these wider impacts. We recently worked with Morrisons supermarket and Procter and Gamble, to offer a ‘buy one, donate one’ offer on their Always and Tampax period product ranges. This has enabled The Bread and Butter Thing to offer flash sales during the year, where those who need it can access up to 9 months’ worth of products for £1. We also donate items to schools and through local council projects.
Feedback from those who use The Bread and Butter Thing explains how important this support is:
“It's such a shame that items like these are not seen as essential when they really are, so this kind of sale by Bread and Butter will help the community a lot." (TBBT member)
"When we had these products on the van last week, some of the customers were buying them to donate to their children’s school to help other children as well as their own, which I felt recognised the need for these products to be freely available." (Local secondary school teacher)
“The provision of sanitary products in communities like ours are a vital support to help women and girls go about their normal daily lives without fear of embarrassment due to period poverty. The packs we gave out last week were gratefully received by everyone and were amazing value.” (Local advice worker)
“This is the best thing that has come through The Bread and Butter Thing other than the food, because people really struggle to purchase the product and they shouldn’t, they really need it." (TBBT volunteer and member)
Food poverty does not work in isolation so those experiencing food poverty are often experiencing period poverty and other types of deprivation. It is important to remember that it can often only take one thing to spiral anyone into financial difficulty. To allow people to feel they have more control over their finances and prevent crisis often involves working in partnership with other services, charities and agencies to offer early help and prevent much bigger concerns later on.
This year has been difficult for everyone but Covid-19 shone a spotlight on how insecure some people’s lives are. Everyone should have the right to access basic essentials and many of Manchester’s VCSE organisations, like The Bread and Butter Thing, are trying to ensure that life is more affordable for all Manchester residents.
This interview was featured in P&I Shorts, the fortnightly VCSE policy update. We interview leaders in our sector about their important current policy issue. To sign up to P&I Shorts, please click on this link.