Earlier this year, when confronted with their A level drama devised piece, Megan Pledger, Faye Thompsett and Eleanor Sloan in the 6th Form began research into the stigma around periods and period poverty. Whilst doing their research they became inspired reading about girls their own age who were making a massive difference in helping to eradicate period poverty, all whilst doing their A levels.
They recognised how lucky they are to be in the position where they know they can easily get tampons and pads whether at home or from Pupil Services when they are at School, and realised there are many young women who are not this lucky. Through their research they found out that some homeless women are forced to use newspaper, old clothes and cardboard as they cannot afford sanitary products.
This is why they have started an organisation called ‘Code Red’ to raise awareness for Period Poverty and to provide sanitary products to Ferry Project’s Night Shelter which is a fourteen-bed facility based in Octavia View, Wisbech, that provides emergency accommodation for the homeless. Established in 1998, Luminus Ferry Project is an award-winning social enterprise and registered charity that helps homeless people in Fenland.
As part of this, they have been in touch with Amika George, a young activist who successfully persuaded Parliament to put aside money to help young girls who cannot afford sanitary products, and she has agreed to meet the girls to offer some advice. They are also asking pupils and parents for donations of tampons, pads and chocolate bars, so that they can donate them to local homeless shelters.
Donations can be dropped off at the School in the main reception (Pupil Services). You can follow their journey through their Instagram account _officialcodered
On Friday 10 May the girls will be holding a ‘Packing Party’, where all pupils are invited to come and help put together the products into small bags before being donated. This will be held after school from 4.20pm -5.20pm in room 77, with free snacks and drinks.
Their aim is to raise much needed sanitary products throughout the year and donate them to women living in period poverty.