Free period wellbeing bags for Moray sports clubs
Free bags containing a variety of period products are being made available to all sports clubs and groups in Moray.
The initiative by Moray Council’s Active Schools and Community Sports Hub team aims to ensure that everyone taking part in sports sessions has easy access to essential items.
Moray-based sports club leaders will be able to pick up a period wellbeing bag at the Marine Park Wellbeing Festival in Lossiemouth on Saturday 17 May, between 11am and 3pm.
After that bags will be available at various distribution points across Moray.
The project has been made possible through the Scottish Government’s period product initiative, and with grant funding from NHS Grampian Public Health.
Elgin Cycling Club are among the groups participating in the scheme.
Vice-Chair Diane MacIver said: “As a cyclist and as a nurse, I’m well aware how important it is to have period products available at sporting events. I think this is a fantastic scheme that will make an enormous difference.
“I volunteer at national events and I’ve been asked if I can provide period products. On one occasion, I had to direct a young girl to an ambulance station for support. That in itself highlighted just how important access to period products can be – they’re often as essential as a first aid kit at sporting events.”
Councillor Kathleen Robertson, Chair of Moray Council Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee added: “Research consistently shows that periods are one of the most significant barriers to women and girls participating in sport and we don’t believe anyone should have to miss out on physical activity because they don’t have access to period products.
“These free wellbeing bags allow local sports clubs to ensure inclusion and confidence, and have the potential to make a significant difference.”
In addition, an online workshop on periods and sport is being held at 6pm on Monday 26 May. It will cover a range of subjects, including athlete performance and the menstrual cycle; the importance of language surrounding periods and also how the period wellbeing bag scheme supports physical and mental wellbeing. If you wish to attend or to find out more about where to obtain period wellbeing bags, contact robin.paterson@moray.gov.uk.