A RECENT campaign in Frome has raised £1,650, which is being used to buy plastic-free period packs for local young people in Years 8 and 9.
The campaign is part of the Plastic Free. Period Project, an initiative led by Frome Medical Practice and Frome Town Council to raise awareness about alternative period products, which can save people money and have a lower environmental impact.
Project champion, Frome town councillor Fiona Barrows, said, “We are really delighted with the amount of money raised and want to thank the many people who generously donated to our campaign. The money will pay for an additional 110 packs to be donated to young people in Frome schools, taking the total number of packs donated through this project to 335. This is a fantastic way of supporting young people who want to make a switch in their choice of period products. Thanks also to Cheeky Wipes, who have supplied the period packs at a discounted price.”
Charlotte Carson is the community sustainability lead at Frome Medical Practice and said, “Our plastic-free period initiative is focused on the potential carbon and cost savings that people in Frome can make by switching to lower-plastic-content period products, which are not single-use. Existing stigma and taboos around this topic result in a lack of proper information and a lack of equal access to products that people need. The plastic-free period project is making a big difference in the support we can offer to young people in Frome who want to make the switch. As well as providing free alternative period packs, we are also delivering educational classes in local schools, during which we share tangible actions people can take to care for themselves and the environment.”
The Plastic Free. Period team has also been working with suppliers of reusable period products to secure discount codes for Frome residents wishing to make the switch.
Charlotte added. “A number of shops in Frome have kindly offered us discount codes, which people can use when buying alternative period products locally. We’ve also been given discount codes by several makers of these products, which can be used online. You can find out what offers are available on the Green and Healthy Frome website https://greenhealthyfuturefrome.org/plastic-free-period/”
Anyone interested in helping with this project by joining the Plastic Free. Period team for events or campaigns can get in touch at somicb.frome.sustainability@nhs.net or through the website link above.
The Green & Healthy Frome programme is a partnership between Edventure: Frome, Frome Medical Practice, Frome Town Council and the local community. The programme is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.
