Swansea City support STOPP’s campaign to end period poverty in the city

Swansea City - along with local businesses who attended a recent event at the Swansea.com Stadium centred around period dignity - have donated period products to local charity Swansea Takes On Period Poverty (STOPP).

STOPP was launched in 2019 and its vision is to help Swansea become a period positive city, breaking down the stigma of periods and ensuring women and girls do not have to miss out on school, work or social lives because they can’t afford menstrual products.

They believe period products should be freely available in public toilets – in the same way as toilet paper – and provide free products for those most in need.

STOPP also spoke at the Swans’ recent period dignity event, which highlighted the wide-ranging and varied challenges which some people face due to monthly periods whether that be physical, mental or financial.

Louise Gibbard, chair at STOPP, said: “Our aim is to break down the stigma of periods, make sure we’re talking about them and normalising them. We also look to raise money, awareness and help get products to those who need them.

“We work in different ways, so community venues and groups might come to us so they can give out products to those who need them, but we also have an online form which individuals can fill out explaining what they need and then we drop them off to you anywhere in Swansea.”

The services and products provided by STOPP are open to everyone. They understand that anyone can suddenly experience financial difficulties, and for some people a monthly period can cause real, life-impacting problems.

Some of the stories Louise and her team at STOPP have heard underline the importance of their work.

“Some of the feedback is heartbreaking," added Gibbard.

"Some people might be short of money and then have really heavy periods, and they can’t afford to be buying a lot of maxi pads every couple of weeks. Periods aren’t fun at the best of times, but if you also end up worrying about how you’re going to fund products then it’s harder. We like to think that we help make people’s lives a little bit easier.”

Rebeca Storer, Swansea City’s head of safeguarding, added: “We’re pleased to have been able to shine a spotlight on the fantastic work that STOPP are doing in Swansea to tackle the stigma of periods, as well as help those who are experiencing period poverty.

“Our period dignity event, and the donation of period products, is the start of our commitment to helping STOPP share their important message to a wider audience and for Swansea City and everyone at the Swansea.com Stadium to become more aware of the challenges faced.”

For more information, you can visit STOPP's website here.