Staff News - December 2022

Free Period Products

Free period products are available in Highland to everyone who needs them. They can be accessed in community locations and through a home delivery service and are also available to pupils in schools, enabled through Scottish Government funding in line with the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021.

Since 2018-2019, pads and tampons have been available free of charge for pupils in Highland Council schools. There are now over 80 community pick-up points where pads and tampons can be collected, these are in Highland Council and High Life Highland premises such as leisure and community centres, libraries, service points and visitor attractions. Details of these locations can be found on the Council’s website at: www.highland.gov.uk/freeperiodproducts

The Highland Council is also working with the social enterprise, Hey Girls, to offer a home delivery service aimed at those living in remote locations in Highland or who would otherwise have a limited access to the community pick-up points. This service also gives access to reusable period products, such as menstrual cups and washable pads.

A further partnership is with CFINE to deliver free period products directly to local food groups, such as community larders and food banks. CFINE operate FareShare Grampian, Highlands & Islands and already distribute surplus food to a network of local groups.