Menstruation Matters provides free monthly donations to those who otherwise could not afford or access them. Most people we support are BAMER abuse victims living in refuges across Sheffield. We’ve also taught Girlguides about menstruation and period poverty, to break the taboo and enabling them to earn their End Period Poverty badges. We teach women (and men!) how to sew reusable pads to encourage plastic-free-periods and to help our local community be more sustainable and eco-friendly.

‘Period poverty’ is a significant public health concern for people who menstruate because reduced access to safe products and unsanitary menstrual care practices can lead to infections such as thrush and UTIs. Menstruation is a normal physiological process and menstrual products are essential not luxuries. Reduced access to these products can be due to financial reasons and is a form of social inequity. We know that the people we support are suffering menstrual inequities because we conducted a research study of women, which found that 73% of them struggled to afford sanitary protection each month, 67% changed protection less often due to affordability issues and 62% used unconventional items in their places, leading to infections in 20% of these women. This is why Menstruation Matters exists.

There’s lots of ways to get involved with MM!

Check out our Facebook page for upcoming events – in the past these have included reusable pad making workshops and life drawing sessions!

You could also fundraise for us via sporting events or bake sales, you could have a period party and collect menstrual products, or maybe you just want to donate some funds you’ve raised. Whatever it is, we are so grateful for your support! Please get in touch with us if you’d like to get involved in our cause.

You can donate period products to us via our donation box in the University of Sheffield Medical School, or you can use our Common Good Wish List to send products to us directly. 

You can raise money whenever you shop online for us for free via Easyfundraising. We also accept bank transfers (get in touch for our details) or you can donate online – our fundraising platform is via People’s Fundraising.

All donations go towards providing the people we support with free menstrual products. We’re really mindful of supporters generosity and endeavour to make sure that all donations go towards combating period poverty.

We are keen to do our bit for the planet – since 2021, all the single-use period products we have purchased are from Here We Flo!