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With high cost-of-living expenses, people prioritise basic necessities like food and energy, instead of safe and hygienic period products1. Although this may not be a shocking revelation, period poverty is a real problem that affects people with periods worldwide, even in wealthy countries. In April 2026 a poll carried out by ActionAid found that more than one in ten people (~11%) who menstruate in the UK struggle to afford period products for themselves or their dependents.

 

There has also been a noticeable rise in early onset puberty2. This finding introduces a potential increase in the number of people struggling to afford period hygiene products, as well as other unforeseen issues. Hertfordshire, and the UK in general, have made efforts to help with the affordability of products, with services such as the Period Product scheme for schools and colleges, Herts Sustainable Families Scheme, and the Hygiene Bank. 

 

Period poverty is defined as the lack of access to menstrual products, as well as the lack of safe and hygienic spaces to use them. It also includes the right for people to be able to manage menstruation without shame or stigma1. Most of the UK is fortunate enough to have access to free and discounted products, but that does not mean the public and organisations are aware of the resources available to them.

 

To help with this ongoing issue, Citizens Advice Stevenage wants to create more awareness, availability, and accessibility to free and discounted period products – especially at schools, GPs, and food banks. We aim to survey these public services as well as the Stevenage community to find out if they are struggling with affording period products, are they accessing the resources available to them, and do they know that these resources exist and how to use them. Raising awareness could help Stevenage and neighbouring communities have one less monthly cost.

 

At the end of our research, we hope to increase visibility on the resources available to Stevenage through signposting e.g. via social media. The goal is to also advise local communities about the accessibility to free products in spaces such as schools, GP offices and food banks. This will be achieved by connecting them to available resources.

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This research project is being carried out by Cameron Selfridge who is part of the Research and Campaigns team at Citizens Advice. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss this research project further, you can contact her on Cameron.Selfridge@castevenage.org.uk.

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If you would like immediate advice, please do not hesitate to reach out to Citizens Advice Stevenage by calling Adviceline for free on 0800 144 8848.

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References: 

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1: ActionAid

2: Kari Health