Wolverhampton charity says it's important to talk about period poverty as new school year starts
Period Matters say they've supported more than 1,000 people gain access to period products in the year for 2025/26
A charity in the Black Country has told us with the new school year starting, it's an important time to talk about period poverty.
Period Matters is based in Wolverhampton and since 2018 has been helping women and girls in the region get access to period products and support.
They provide free, non means-tested support as well as educational material and hold community outreach events.
Their founder, Clare Roberts-Molloy told us while they have achieved a lot since they first started, the demand for their service in the Black Country is still very evident.
"During 2025/2026, we've support approximately 1,000 individuals and families and we distributed in the region of 3,000 packs of period products," She said.
Clare continued: "We've had conversations with people where they've been improvising with toilet paper, wearing products for longer than it's safe to, or they simply stay at home."
It's an expensive time of year - but period products are essentials too
Clare said at this time of year, especially with the cost of living in crisis, stocking up on school supplies is expensive, but it's important to remember period products "are not luxury items".
"Families are facing increased pressure around paying for uniforms, transportation, stationary, lunches - all those things," she said.
"So, while they may be managing all their other households costs, period products can then become another essential expense."
Secondary schools in England now have access to government funding to provide free period products, however, Clare said there is still a lack of information on where people can turn to for help with period poverty and a stigma around talking about the issue.
She said: "With the younger generation, there's still that level of embarrassment around it.
"There's been lots of progress, but could we still talk about it more? Absolutely, definitley, yes."
Clare added: "From what we've seen, period poverty a significant but often hidden issue in the Black Country at the moment."
She also highlight how having to ask for the products and support is an added barrier, and instead, it should be something readily offered.
Although she said the situation here has improved over the years, period poverty remains a key issue and needs to be spoken about more openly.