NDA and Hey Girls address period poverty in Cumbria

This partnership is part of the NDA’s commitment to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive workspace for employees and fostering positive change within their local communities.

Period products are now accessible to all who require them across NDA’s offices in Cumbria and Warrington as a result of this initiative.

Kerry Maxwell OBE, Chief Executive at Whitehaven Community Trust (Image: NDA)

Furthermore, every product ordered by the NDA prompts the donation of another to local community partners, like the Whitehaven Community Trust, extending much-needed help throughout the region.

Approximately 3,000 products have been donated thus far due to this arrangement.

Claire Renney, NDA Health and Wellbeing Manager, said: "We first got in touch with Hey Girls as part of our drive to be a menopause friendly employer.

"Periods can often become more unpredictable as people move towards menopause so accessible products are important."

“Being an inclusive workplace brings huge benefits, for both staff and employers, we are committed to taking positive action so all our NDA colleagues are supported and feel their very best at work.

“It’s wonderful the partnership has also enabled us to support the wider community and do our bit to address period poverty across Cumbria.”

Kerry Maxwell OBE, Chief Executive at Whitehaven Community Trust, detailed how the donated products would be distributed.

She said: “We will be distributing the products from our Senhouse Centre in Whitehaven town centre across the community, particularly looking to support those most vulnerable including victims of domestic abuse and providing products through local foodbanks.”

The partnership has received warm approval from Hey Girls.

Daisy Williams, Partnerships and Contracts Manager at Hey Girls, said: “It is fantastic to partner with the NDA and provide their team with our products.

“More and more organisations are approaching us to introduce period dignity schemes and it is great to have another public sector body on board.

“We want to eradicate period poverty across the UK – and it is brilliant to now support the Whitehaven Community Trust through this new partnership and extend our reach further into the north west.

“We look forward to hearing more about how the partnership helps everyone involved and can’t wait to see the benefits continue to blossom in future.”

Hey Girls' 'buy one, donate one' model has supported a network of over 350 community partners, donating more than 33 million period products since 2018.

Plans are underway to expand the partnership across the NDA group of organisations, with Sellafield and Nuclear Waste Services expected to have products available in their pilot areas in the coming months.