West Dunbartonshire Council are committed to end the stigma around period poverty
West Dunbartonshire Council, on the basis of funding made available by the Scottish Government, is working together with UK Social Enterprise @HeyGirlsUK to ensure everyone in West Dunbartonshire who has a period will have convenient access to appropriate products free of charge, as and when they are required, in schools and community venues across the authority.
Period products (sanitary towels and tampons) are a necessity, but they can be expensive. Tight budgets can leave people forced to prioritise other purchases, leaving them without the right period products, without enough period products, or without any period products at all.
Period poverty is definitely a real problem for many people. Various sources indicate that period poverty may affect up to 1 in 4 people in Scotland. In 2020 it was estimated that 22% of people were living in relative low income poverty after housing costs in the UK.
The aim of the scheme is to help end period poverty and the stigma around this, by making sure everyone who needs these products can pick them up for free at an easily accessible pick up point – with no questions asked.
The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 now requires local authorities to:
- Ensure period products are generally obtainable free of charge;
- Education providers (have) to ensure period products obtainable free of charge by pupils and students; and
- Specified public service bodies (have) to ensure period products are obtainable free of charge by persons in their premises.
Period products must be reasonably easy to obtain and provided in a way that respects the dignity of those obtaining the products. In addition, there must be a reasonable choice of different products available.
Local Authorities must prepare a written Statement of Provision describing their plans for provision. West Dunbartonshire Council's Statement of Provision was prepared in consultation with relevant individuals, groups and organisations.
This consultation sought information to inform decisions about:
- The way products may be made available;
- The types of products required;
- the premises where the products will be available;
- The location of products in those premises.
Everyone!
We do not ask for any proof of identity or income details.
Our products are available at no cost to all residents and those who work in or visit West Dunbartonshire.
Providing free products is extremely important
Free products not only help end period poverty, they promote equality. It is overwhelmingly women and girls who have to bear the cost for a biological process that they cannot control.
As well as supporting people on low-incomes, free period products give peace of mind to everyone who has periods. The knowledge that products are there in case you forget them, or start unexpectedly, can be very reassuring. Providing free products ensures all people can menstruate with dignity.
See our list of community venues who currently stock products, or use our online ordering service to have products delivered free of charge to your home if you have a West Dunbartonshire postcode.
Our current supplier is Hey Girls and their products are environmentally-friendly and come from ethical and sustainable sources.
You can find out more about the products by visiting Hey Girls online shop. Please note that we do not provide the complete range of products through our service.
Products were initially made available to pupils within schools. Provision was then extended to include colleges and community venues.
Some of these community venues still have restricted access due to COVID-19. Despite this, free period products will continue to be available at a number of venues throughout West Dunbartonshire.
These products are available within these buildings, normally in toilets or occasionally at reception points. We would encourage people to take enough supplies to meet their need for their menstrual cycle.
We have also been working with our local partners to ensure the products are available to those who need them when accessing emergency food parcel provision.
Find out where you can pick up free period products like sanitary towels and tampons
You can find venues that are stocking the products on the MyPeriodLive website or by downloading the PickupMyPeriod app:
If you are unable to access the app, below is an at a glance list of venues currently receiving the free period products for residents using their venue or service. Most venues stock these products in the toilets to avoid the need to ask for them.
- Acorn Centre, Vale of Leven Hospital, Main Street, G83 0UA
- Alexandria Community Centre, Main Street, Alexandria, G83 0NU
- Alexandria Library, Gilmour Street, Alexandria, G83 0DA
- Benview Centre, 50 Strathleven Place, Dumbarton, G82 1BA
- Centre 81, 2 Braes Avenue, Clydebank, G81 3DP
- Citizens Advice Bureau, 77 Bank Street, Alexandria, G83 0LZ
- Citizens Advice Bureau, Bridgend House, 179 High Street, Dumbarton, G82 1NW
- Citizens Advice Bureau, Social Economy Centre, 63 Kilbowie Road, Clydebank, G81 1BL
- Clydebank Health Centre, Kilbowie Road, Clydebank, G81 2TQ
- Clydebank Independent Resource Centre, 627 Dumbarton Road, Clydebank, G81 4ET
- Clydebank Town Centre Office, 10 Sylvania Way South, Clydebank, G81 1EA
- Clydebank Town Hall, Dumbarton Road, Clydebank, G81 1AU
- Concord Centre, St Marys Way, Dumbarton, G82 1LJ
- Cornerstone, Carman Centre, 175 Main Street, Renton, Dumbarton, G82 4PF
- Cutty Sark Centre, Howatshaws Road, Dumbarton, G82 3DR
- Dalmuir Community Centre, Duntocher Road, Dalmuir, G81 3QX
- Dalmuir Library, Dalmuir, G81 4LX
- Debra Charity Shop, Clyde Shopping Centre, 4 Britannia Way, Clydebank, G81 2RZ
- Dumbarton Health Centre, Station Road, Dumbarton, G82 1PW
- Dumbarton Library, Bonhill Road, Dumbarton, G82 1BD
- Faifley Library, Edinbarnet Campus, Craigpark Street, Clydebank, G81 5BS
- Food4Thought, Unit 14a Artizan Shopping Centre, Dumbarton, G82 1LL
- Glenhead Centre, Duntiglennan Road, Duntocher, G81 6HF
- Gordons Chemists, 19 Mitchell Way, Alexandria, G83 0LW
- Haldane Youth Services, Annex Building - Jamestown Primary School, Main Street, Jamestown, Balloch, G83 8PN
- Leven Valley Enterprise Centre, Castlehill Road, Dumbarton G82 5BN
- Mackie Pharmacy, 8 High Street, Dumbarton, G82 1LL
- Meadow Centre, Meadow Road, Dumbarton, G82 2AA
- Morrisons (ask for Sandy), 55 Glasgow Road, Dumbarton, G82 1QZ
- Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels, Unit 5, Nu Skope Industrial Estate, Station Road, Old Kilpatrick, G60 5LP
- Skypoint Centre, 96b Lennox Drive, Faifley, Clydebank, G81 5JY
- Street League, Goals Glasgow West, 2650 Great Western Road, G81 2XT
- The Hub, 405 Kilbowie Road, Clydebank, G81 2TX
- The Tell Organisation Ltd, Tell House, 8/4 Bankend Road, Dumbarton, G82 2RT
- Tullochan Family Centre, 9-11 Poplar Road, Dumbarton, G82 2RD
- Vale Centre for Health, Main Street, Alexandria, G83 0UA
- Vale of Leven Autism and Aspergers Forum (VOLAAF), Station Street, Renton, G82 4NB
- Vale of Leven Swimming Pool, Main Street, Alexandria, G83 0UE
- WDC Aurora House, 3 Aurora Avenue, Queens Quay, Clydebank, G81 1BF
- WDC Bridge Street, 6-14 Bridge Street, Dumbarton, G82 1NT
- WDC Church Street, 16 Church St, Dumbarton, G82 1QL
- WD Community Addiction Team, 120 Dumbarton Road, Clydebank, G81 1UG
- WD Community Addiction Team, Joint Hospital, Cardross Road, Dumbarton, G82 5JA
- West of Scotland Autism and Aspergers Centre, Station Street, Renton, G82 4NB
- Ysortit Youth Centre, 5 West Thomson St, Clydebank, G81 3EA
- Ysortit, Bonhill Community Centre, Ladyton, G83 9DZ
- Family Nurse Partnership Team, Hartfield Clinic, Latta Street, Dumbarton, G82 2DS
If you have any queries please contact us at working4u@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
We have a range of disposable and reusable products available for delivery to you at home via our online ordering service. There is no charge for the products or delivery.
Anyone who has a period is welcome to use this free service, but you must live in West Dunbartonshire and provide a West Dunbartonshire post code for delivery.
Deliveries can take a few days to a few weeks, however West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare can provide an emergency supply. If you need products and can't wait for this delivery please telephone West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare on 0800 345 7050 to have Pads or Tampons delivered to your home address.
Basic contact details are taken by our supplier in order to post the order to you or to contact if there are any issues with your order delivery. Your information will be used for delivery and our own monitoring requirements and will be deleted when no longer required. You do not have to provide your real name and can use an alias if you want. All products are packaged discreetly so no-one will know what they contain and will be delivered by Royal Mail.
Working 4U manage the community provision of period products in West Dunbartonshire. If you have any questions, or if you wish to provide feedback on this service, please contact us at working4u@west-dunbarton.gov.uk.
If you have queries on your order, we can contact Hey Girls on your behalf. Please include the address you gave for the delivery in your email.