Free Period Products: Lidl NI Tackles Period Poverty With Major Initiative
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Free Period Products: Lidl NI Tackles Period Poverty With Major New Initiative

Lidl Northern Ireland will become the first supermarket retailer in Northern Ireland to provide free period products to customers in need as part of a major new initiative tackling period poverty.

 

The new free period products initiative, which Homeless Period Belfast is backing, will see the retailer offer a dedicated coupon for a free box of sanitary pads or tampons per customer each month.

Free period products coupon redeemed via the Lidl Plus app.

The coupons can be redeemed through the Lidl Plus app.

 

Free Period Products - Lidl NI tackles period poverty with major new initiative - marketing blog ireland - copywriters ireland

Pictured launching the free period products initiative are Katrina McDonnell, Founder of Homeless Period Belfast, and Conor Boyle, Regional Director of Lidl Northern Ireland.

 

Since April, Lidl Northern Ireland has also been making regular donations of sanitary wear to the Simon Community Northern Ireland to ensure people experiencing homelessness – who may not have access to a smartphone – can access these essential products.

Period poverty is described as the lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education, toilets, handwashing facilities, and waste management.

It is a growing issue in Northern Ireland that has become more prevalent since the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

A third of UK girls aged 14-21 “struggle to afford or access period products”.

A survey by equality charity Plan International UK recently found that more than a third (36%) of girls aged 14-21 in the UK have struggled to afford or access period products during the Coronavirus pandemic – up a fifth on last year.

The Homeless Period Belfast was established in 2016 to raise awareness of period poverty locally.

The volunteer-led, not-for-profit group works to provide period products to those in need and actively campaigns for free period products for all girls and women across the region.

Katrina McDonnell, Founder of Homeless Period Belfast, comments, “Since establishing The Homeless Period Belfast in 2016, we’ve distributed thousands of period care packs to those in need of period wear.

“We support a wide range of people in need, from rough sleepers and the homeless, to people who depend on food banks, refugees and asylum seekers to teenagers living in poverty and community youth groups.

Period poverty is “a very real issue in Northern Ireland”.

“Period poverty is a very real issue for many across Northern Ireland,” she insists.

“Last year, we experienced three times the usual demand for our period packs, and this is only increasing.

“No one should have to experience a period without a supply of suitable period products.

“It’s important that we continue to shine a light on the issue and encourage conversations around it to break the taboo that surrounds menstruation.

“I’m thrilled to see Lidl Northern Ireland leading the way in tackling this issue head-on.

“It’s really encouraging to see a major business like Lidl recognise the role they can play in helping eradicate period poverty and to take action to support disadvantaged people in the long-term.

“I hope that today’s announcement paves the way for other retailers to follow suit and join the fight to end period poverty in Northern Ireland,” Katrina adds.

 

 

Lidl Ireland launched a free period products initiative in the Republic earlier in 2021.

The announcement comes after Lidl Ireland successfully rolled out the scheme in the Republic of Ireland earlier this year.

That initiative has seen more than 20,000 sign ups to avail of the coupon and follows the launch of the Lidl Plus app in Northern Ireland in May.

Conor Boyle, Regional Director of Lidl Northern Ireland, says, “I am very proud to announce the launch of a brand-new initiative by Lidl Northern Ireland to provide free period products to shoppers in need and charity service users right across the region.

“In working with Homeless Period Belfast and the Simon Community Northern Ireland, it’s been sobering to learn the full extent of period poverty within Northern Ireland and to understand the level of support required to those in need.

“Access to safe, effective and hygienic period products is a basic right for those who menstruate, and it’s shocking to hear that many are having to rely on local charities or less than suitable alternative materials to provide this.

“As a family retailer very much embedded in our local communities, we know we have a critical role to play in helping tackle this issue.

Lidl NI is the first supermarket in Northern Ireland to introduce a free period products scheme.

“I’m delighted that Lidl Northern Ireland is the first supermarket to introduce such a scheme and to further support our communities by opening up access to essential period products for all of our customers.

“In working with the Simon Community Northern Ireland, we’re also continuing to provide monthly donations to ensure those harder to reach groups are also supported,” he adds.

Brian Shanks from the Simon Community Northern Ireland says, “Today’s announcement by Lidl Northern Ireland to provide regular access to free period products is hugely significant and a real step forward in the fight to end period poverty here. 

 

 

Access to sanitary products “particularly challenging” for people experiencing homelessness.

“Access to sanitary products can be particularly challenging for people experiencing homelessness, and Lidl Northern Ireland’s continued, regular donations to our services will improve our supply of these essential items.

“For those in need, this new initiative means greater access to sanitary products when they need them.

“I commend Lidl Northern Ireland for taking the lead in tackling this issue head-on,” he adds.

Shoppers can redeem free period products from their local Lidl Northern Ireland store by signing up to receive a free monthly coupon through the Lidl Plus app.

For more information, visit the Lidl NI website.

 


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Paul Malone
Paul Malone
Paul Malone is one of Northern Ireland’s most experienced marketers, providing Copywriting, Content Writing and Blog Writing services for businesses across the country. Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

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