News Release
Date: 7/05/25
Local Businesses Join Hey Girls to End Period Poverty in Hertfordshire by Providing Free Period Products in Schools
Hey Girls launches #OnePadAtATime campaign ahead of Menstrual Hygiene Day (28 May). Hey Girls, an award-winning social enterprise has launched an innovative new campaign, #OnePadAtATime which calls on female- led businesses in Hertfordshire to sponsor schools and provide free period products in all student bathrooms. The campaign seeks to address period poverty ensuring no student misses school due to a lack of access to essential sanitary products.
Period poverty is a hidden crisis that impacts thousands of students across the UK. According to Plan International UK, 1 in 4 girls have struggled to afford period products, and 1 in 3 girls in the UK report missing school due to the lack of access to sanitary products. As the cost-of-living crisis worsens, families are having to choose between food, fuel and hygiene making the access to period products more difficult putting students’ education and dignity at risk.
“No student should miss school because they don’t have access to something as basic as a pad,” said Kate Smith, Co-Founder of Hey Girls. “Just like toilet roll, these products should always be available in schools. We’re excited to launch this campaign in Hertfordshire ahead of Menstrual Hygiene Day to shine a light on this issue and inspire action.”
The #OnePadAtATime campaign urges local businesses to take action and make a lasting difference.
• A donation of £45 will support one student for a year
• A donation of £450 will support 10 students for a year
• A donation of £ £4,500 will sponsor a school for an entire year.
As a thank you, Businesses will receive a digital campaign badge and be listed on the Hey Girls’ supporters page, enhancing their community impact. For more information on donating click HERE.
Lydia Berman, Founder of Creative Stripes, a local female business leader, already backing the campaign added: “This is more than just charity work. It’s about building a community that supports the next generation of girls. By removing this barrier, we’re helping young people succeed and prepare for a brighter future.”
Daisy Cooper, MP for St Albans has publicly given her support for the campaign adding, “Period poverty is affecting the education and mental wellbeing of young people across Hertfordshire. I fully support the #OnePadAtATime campaign and the work its doing to support girls in out community. It’s never been more important for us to come together as a community to help every student succeed regardless of their financial situation.”
The campaign officially launches this month with the goal of providing free period products in every secondary school in Hertfordshire by the end of 2026.
Notes to Editors:
About Hey Girls
Hey Girls started as a kitchen table start up in 2018 and is now an award winning global social enterprise company. Proudly female lead, Hey Girls believes that access to period products and education is a right, not a privilege. The organisation works closely with schools, community groups and businesses to create access to safe, sustainable period care for everyone who needs it.
Website: www.heygirls.co.uk
About #OnePadAtATime
#OnePadAtATime is a Hertfordshire-based campaign working towards ensuring schools and colleges in the county have free access to period products. The campaign calls on female led local businesses to fund schools so that no student misses out on their education due to lack of period care.
For media enquiries, interviews or further information, please contact:The team at info@heygirls.org or call 07597901495
Assets Available for Media Use:Access and download hi-resolution logo, campaign visuals, promotional video and infographics by clicking on the link: