Menopause Friendly employers came together to help tackle period poverty among people experiencing homelessness, providing sustainable, reusable period care products for those who need them most.
The initiative began when Specsavers highlighted the urgent need for menstrual products at Crisis Skylight centres in London. Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, Specsavers and Mooncup, responded by donating £10,000 to provide free Mooncup reusable cups and organic cotton period care products to people supported by the national homelessness charity, Crisis.
Empowering people to manage their periods with dignity
“We are so grateful to both Specsavers and Henpicked for funding and providing Mooncups to women experiencing homelessness that we support through our services in London,” said Juliet Mountford, Executive Director of Client Services at Crisis. “Many of the women we work with struggle to access essential hygiene products, often because they simply can’t afford them. This can affect both their physical health and their sense of dignity, which is why being able to offer a sustainable, reusable option like the Mooncup is an empowering solution.”
Period poverty continues to affect thousands in the UK. According to WaterAid:
- 24% of people who menstruate have struggled to afford period products in the past year
- 32% worry they won’t be able to afford them in the future
- 1 in 5 have resorted to using makeshift materials like toilet paper or sponges
For those without stable housing, the issue is even more critical. Without access to clean, private facilities and essential products, managing a period can be uncomfortable and have a profound impact on confidence and wellbeing.
A collective commitment to change
The funding for this initiative came from the Menopause and Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards, which brings together organisations committed to supporting menstrual and menopause health in the workplace and beyond. Specsavers is proud to be a key sponsor, playing a vital role in making this donation possible.
“We’re really proud to have supported this donation,” said Jo Osborne, Homelessness Programme Lead at Specsavers. “Menstrual health is a vital yet often overlooked issue, especially for women experiencing homelessness, who may find it harder to access suitable and affordable products. Through this collaboration with Henpicked and Mooncup, we’re helping to address period inequality with a sustainable, long-lasting solution.”
The Mooncup is a reusable, zero-waste alternative to disposable menstrual products, offering a more affordable and environmentally-friendly option for period care.
“We believe access to safe, sustainable period care is a basic human right,” added Megan Leigh, Brand Manager at Mooncup. “We won’t stop until everyone can manage their period with the dignity they deserve. That’s why we’ve partnered with Henpicked and Specsavers to support Crisis and provide Mooncup period care to people experiencing homelessness and financial hardship.”
Workplace communities making a difference
This joint initiative is a powerful example of how employers, partners and charities can unite to tackle period poverty and support people experiencing homelessness.
“When Specsavers told me about their wish to support Crisis by providing free period products, we were only too happy to help,” said Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace. “Period poverty is very real, and it’s heartbreaking to know that people are denied the chance to manage their period with dignity. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and guests at the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards, we were able to help fund this initiative. It shows how workplace communities can come together and be a real force for good.”
