Period poverty project, All Yours, able to continue vital work thanks to £1,000 grant from Persimmon Homes Thames Valley

A West Berkshire project will continue to fight period poverty after receiving a grant from a regional housebuilder, writes Anna Couzens.

The project, All Yours, was originally set up to distribute period boxes in the run up to Christmas by Caroline Herman and her daughter Cara, who live in Hampstead Norreys. Following unexpected demand for their help they decided to expand the project and continue throughout the year.

Previously, Mrs Herman told the Newbury Weekly News that it was “totally heartbreaking” to see so many women and girls struggling and that she would “continue to ensure that anyone who needs help with period products in our community can receive it from us.”

They have now delivered well over 2,000 boxes of sanitary products and will continue supplying local schools, foodbanks, and women’s charities throughout the summer holidays thanks to a £1,000 grant from Persimmon Homes Thames Valley.

Mrs Herman, who applied for the funding for her project, All Yours Period Box, said: “We are delighted to receive such a kind donation from Persimmon Homes, and this will make a huge difference to the lives of so many women and young girls.

“We are pleased to announce that we have recently completed one of our targets which was to supply all schools in West Berkshire with a supply of knickers and tights to help prevent embarrassment for young girls when leaking during their periods at school.

“After the success we witnessed with our initial project, we now plan to use further funding to support these pupils and their families over the summer holidays – when they do not have access to period products in school.”

Laura Farris, MP for Newbury, recently showed her support for the project by contacting every school in West Berkshire and asking them to sign up for the Department for Education’s period product scheme, a currently underused fund in the district.

Rachel Faulkner, sales director at Persimmon Homes Thames Valley - which makes two donations every month to support local causes and charities as part of their Community Champions scheme - said: “All Yours Period Box is an important service to so many women and young girls within the community and we are pleased to be able to support them.

“They represent what our Community Champions scheme is all about and we encourage more applications from local groups.”

The project has recently installed a donation bin in Newbury Library and Thatcham Library, and another bin is due to be installed in Tesco on London Road in Newbury. Any donations of products would help the project fulfil their goal of helping all those who cannot access period products.

The libraries also have a supply of boxes which are available to anyone immediately on request.