May 15, 2026 - 172 views
Conwy County Borough Council is continuing its commitment to tackling period poverty through its support for the Welsh Government-backed “Period Proud Wales” initiative, which aims to ensure that menstrual health is never a barrier to education, work or everyday life.
The scheme, known locally as Period Proud Conwy, provides free period products across a wide range of public buildings including schools, libraries, leisure centres, family centres, community venues and council offices such as Coed Pella. The products are available freely, discreetly and without any questions, helping remove both financial and social barriers.
The initiative is part of a wider drive across Wales to end period poverty — a term used to describe the inability to afford or access suitable menstrual products such as pads and tampons, as well as wider challenges including stigma, lack of education and inadequate facilities.
Period poverty can affect people in several ways. For some, it is purely financial, where the ongoing cost of sanitary products competes with essentials like food or heating. For others, it is about access, particularly in rural or low-income communities where products may not be readily available. It can also be about stigma, where embarrassment or lack of open conversation prevents people from seeking help or support.
Research in the UK has shown the scale of the issue, with surveys suggesting around 1 in 10 girls have struggled to afford period products at some point, while others have missed school days or limited participation in sport and social activities as a result. Welsh Government-backed research and third-sector organisations have repeatedly highlighted that period poverty can contribute to reduced attendance, lower confidence and wider inequalities in education and wellbeing.
Across Wales, the Welsh Government has invested in making period products freely available in schools and public buildings as part of its wider equality and anti-poverty strategy. The aim is to normalise access, reduce stigma and ensure that no one is held back because of their menstrual health.
Conwy County Borough Council says its approach goes beyond simply providing products. The council is also encouraging open conversations about menstruation, challenging myths and supporting young people and adults to feel confident discussing menstrual health.
Councillor Hannah Fleet, Cabinet Member for Integrated Adult Services and Human Resources, said the scheme is about dignity and inclusion, stressing that no one should miss out on education, work or daily activities due to lack of access to basic hygiene products. She added that the council’s work is also focused on breaking down stigma and ensuring people feel supported in managing their menstrual health.
The programme aligns with the wider strategy set out by the Welsh Government under its Period Proud Wales agenda, which aims to create a fairer and more equal society by tackling both the practical and social impacts of period poverty.
For Conwy, the message is clear: menstrual health is a basic part of wellbeing, and support should be available quietly, consistently and without judgement — so that no one is excluded from education, work or community life because of their period.
