Wrexham to see first steps in tackling period poverty in schools – despite concerns about sustainability

Dispensing shelves for sanitary products are set to be installed in female toilet cubicles across Wrexham secondary schools, despite concerns over how sustainable this approach is.

The move comes after a cross party group of councillors set up a task and finish group to explore the extent of ‘period poverty’ in Wrexham schools and how it can be solved.

Almost 500 students from secondary schools across the borough took part in a recent survey about the current provision of sanitary equipment and feminine hygiene products.

The survey found that more than a quarter of pupil respondents have had to take time off secondary school in the last year because of lack of access to sanitary products and more than a third of respondents in primary school.

Cllr Carrie Harper, who chairs both the lifelong learning scrutiny committee and the recent task and finish group, said that everyone involved in the process had been “quite moved by some of the feedback we had on this issue”.

Commenting on the survey’s findings, Cllr Harper continued: “It was a mixed picture in what is available in our schools. The survey did show some provision in all schools, but it also told us there is a high percentage who say they either didn’t know about that provision or believed it wasn’t in place.

“One of the main headlines through the work was 28 per cent have missed time off school in the past year because they couldn’t access sanitary products. Although we had a lower response in primary that was 38 per cent.

“It is not just about statistics. There was of evidence presented and feedback, instances of some having to use dinner money to buy sanitary products or using an item of clothing.

“In terms of improving provision, there was a difference between what pupils wanted and staff wanted. Pupil preference is for direct access to products in toilets and staff wanted indirect access via members of staff.”

Wrexham Council have been awarded a share of £1 million from the Welsh Government to tackle period poverty, which needs to be spent within the next two years.

As part of the report presented to the committee today it was recommended that a share of the funding was spent installing sanitary dispensing shelves in as many female toilet cubicles as possible in secondary schools

In terms of revenue funding for free sanitary products it is recommended the money is prioritised to provide a provision of sanitary towels across all secondary schools for direct access within the toilet cubicles, with tampons also being made available on request from a nominated member of staff, in accordance with education guidance; along with some provision of sanitary towels in all primary schools.

However views were mixed on whether sanitary dispensing shelves were the best approach, with concerns over replenishing the items and damage.

Suzanne Nantcurvis from WINGS Wrexham said the organisation had “reservations as to the focus on dispensing shelves” and that it doesn’t help “take away the taboo of this subject”.

The organisation is currently involved in projects in Ysgol Clywedog and St Christopher’s, which involves a WINGS ambassador scheme with girls in each year group – who can talk and take students to the WINGS box where there is availability of products.

Details of the scheme and how to access it are provided via information in each toilet cubicle.

Suzanne said: “There is still lots of scope for this scheme. I am concerned and unclear about how we will work along with the provision of dispensing shelves.

“I know Ysgol Clywedog has concerns about the possibility of vandalism with the dispensing shelves available in toilets and the sustainability of the way forward. Whereas the WINGS Wrexham approach is very sustainable.”

Hayley Williams from Wrexham Nappy Library also highlighted to the committee that reusable sanitary products need to be offered to those students who wish to use them.

“Over the long term reusable products cost less than single use products,” explained Hayley.

Menstrual cups specifically if you buy direct from the manufacturer cost equal to or less than single use products, but can last for ten years.

“This negates the need for sanitary bins and shelves in schools.

“Appreciate reusables aren’t for everyone but I believe the choice needs to be given. They need to be considered, especially with the money you’ve been given.

“If we can give these 20 per cent of girls products they want, they’ve been taken out of period poverty for 10 years.”

Cllr Andrew Atkinson, lead member for youth services and anti-poverty said: “There are certain restrictions on what we can spend capital on, which doesn’t necessarily fit with WINGS at the moment.

“But without WINGS going forward it it hard to see this being sustainable. Sustainability is the key word in all of this.”

He added: “I would hope as part of an anti-poverty perspective and as part of ongoing discussion that reusables get more traction.

“There is a huge cost saving and if can break down the taboo and stigma that exists, it will help save a small fortune for families across Wrexham.”

One of the key concerns raised during the meeting is how the sanitary products would be replenished and who would be in charge of doing so.

Cllr John McCusker said: “Obviously it’s for a very good cause and for obvious reasons, but what concerns me is I feel it should be more linked to free school meals.

“How do you restrict the numbers because anything for free is going to walk. That’s what concerns me. What control have we got?”

Cllr Dana Davies also queried if it would be possible to provide reusable with the donated free products that come through WINGS and “give that variety” to students.

Ian Roberts, head of education at Wrexham Council, said: “This is two year funding. How do we replace products after two years unless we do it through voluntary provision such as WINGS and the Nappy Association?

“We’re not a delivery service, we don’t have officers to collect product and take it schools and disperse. We would be heavily reliant on voluntary associations to work with us and work with schools on that.

“The only way from my perspective to move on and to make sure it is sustainable is to engage with voluntary associations in order to ensure products arrive at the doors of the school directly from those associations.

“In terms ongoing maintenance and if there is damage, categorically it will sit within school budget to have to do it.”

He added: “It has to be sustainable whatever model we come up with. To start and then stop would be detrimental to the young people of Wrexham.”

Despite the reservations from some committee members, councillors voted to press ahead with plans to put the shelves with sanitary towels in all secondary schools and some primary schools.

Secondary school students would also be able to request tampons from nominated staff.

Work will also continue with local voluntary organisations and a report on the progress with the sanitary dispensing scheme will be provided to the scrutiny committee in 18 months.