A BID to tackle period poverty has been launched in Pembrokeshire as a result of a partnership between PATCH and Pembrokeshire County Council.

Dozens of boxes of women’s sanitary products have been bought by the County Council and given to PATCH, thanks to a £8,805 feminine hygiene grant from the Welsh Government.

Cllr Tessa Hodgson, Cabinet Member for Social Services, said they were very grateful for the grant, which aims to reduce period poverty among women and girls from low income households.

“We felt that PATCH would be an ideal organisation to distribute the products among those who are really in need of them, and we’re delighted that they have been able to organise this,” she said.

The sanitary products are available at all of PATCH’s centres; in Haverfordwest, Pembroke Dock, Begelly, and its new headquarters at the old school in Hakin.

Tracy Olin from PATCH said they were grateful for the donation.

“It’s brilliant,” she said. “They are such an important product and women really do value us having them.

“We had one lady burst into tears when she was told that she could have some, because she couldn’t afford them and saw them as a luxury. I thought, oh my goodness. They’re not a luxury, they’re a necessity.”

She added: “We have always had some products available, but the difference now is that we now have a range of products, and that women and girls will have the choice. We also know we’re not going to run out for a while!”

Cllr Josh Beynon, who has responsibility for wellbeing, said: “Period poverty affects on average one in 10 young women and can impact on their self-esteem and the number of days which young women attend school. This grant from the Welsh Government and the support from PATCH and Pembrokeshire Food Bank will help to tackle this problem.”