East Neuk already helping in fight against period poverty

MSP Monica Lennon’s bid to end the misery of period poverty has hit the headlines.

But around Fife many charitable organisations and foodbanks have been distributing the most personal of hygiene products for many years.

One such place is East Neuk Foodbank, which started in 2013.

The group doesn’t use a referral system and employs a drop-in and café to ensure a friendly atmosphere.

“So you really cannot tell if they are clients or volunteers,” he said.

Richard also helps with PC access, vital for form filling and job hunts, and courses are run.

That can all help forge closer bonds, making people feel more at ease about asking for more personal items.

“Apart from food, if they need sanitary or toiletry products we have that stuff here as well. “There is nothing that is missed. “It is good the MSP is talking about it, you need to talk about it to break down the barriers,” he said.

Working in the heart of a rural area brings challenges – for example, public transport costs and isolation among their largest single user group, the over 45s. He fears it is the older people in the community who aren’t being reached. “They may be too proud to come out.” The need, he added: “is a terrible shame”.

“It is really no different from how it used to be before the welfare state, when the parish picked up the pieces and helped what was then called the poor.

“In some ways, it is almost returning to a pre-welfare state position.”

It is really no different from how it used to be