Southern Regional College (SRC) is committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and equitable learning environment. Recognising that access to period products is a fundamental need, we provide free sanitary products across all campuses to ensure that no student is disadvantaged due to cost or accessibility barriers. This initiative is part of our broader commitment to student wellbeing, dignity, and menstrual equity

What Period Products Are Available?

To ensure a sustainable and efficient approach, SRC provides one standard type of free disposable period product. This includes:

• A mid-range absorbency sanitary pad, designed to offer reliable protection for most users.
• A regular absorbency tampon with an applicator, ensuring ease of use and convenience.

By offering one standard type of each product, we streamline supply management, reduce waste, and ensure consistent availability across campuses. This approach helps to prevent stock shortages and makes it easier for students to access the products they need without confusion or uncertainty.

This initiative is designed to support menstrual equity by ensuring that all students can manage their periods with dignity and ease while maintaining the long-term sustainability of the programme.

Where Can You Find Free Period Products?

To maximise accessibility, free period products are available in multiple locations across SRC campuses. These locations have been carefully selected to ensure convenience, discretion, and ease of access.

• Bathrooms: The primary distribution points for free period products are selected female and gender-neutral restrooms. Self-service dispensers have been installed to allow students to access products quickly and privately.
• Wellbeing Rooms: Additional collection points are available in Wellbeing Rooms across campuses, providing a supportive and discreet environment for students who may require extra supplies.
• Campus Service Desks: Staff at campus service desks are trained to provide guidance on where students can access free period products, ensuring that those who may be unfamiliar with the locations can receive assistance when needed.

By offering products in multiple locations, SRC ensures that students can access them conveniently, without the need to ask for assistance or feel uncomfortable. This approach also promotes inclusivity, ensuring that all students, including those who are transgender or non-binary, can access the products they need.

How Can You Access Free Period Products?

SRC has implemented a barrier-free approach to accessing period products, meaning that students can take what they need without having to ask, provide personal details, or justify their need. This helps to remove stigma and ensures that all students have access to these essential products whenever they need them.

• Self-Service Dispensers: Located in selected restrooms, these dispensers allow students to take the products they need discreetly and conveniently.
• Collection Points in Wellbeing Rooms: For students who may require more than one or two products at a time, Wellbeing Rooms provide an alternative collection point where additional supplies are available.
• Stocking and Maintenance: All dispensers and collection points are regularly stocked to ensure that products remain available at all times, preventing shortages and ensuring continuous access.

This approach ensures equitable access for all students, particularly those facing financial hardship, while also contributing to the normalisation of conversations around menstruation within the College community.

How We Promote Awareness of This Initiative

Ensuring that students are aware of the availability of free period products is just as important as making them accessible. SRC actively promotes this initiative using a multi-channel communication strategy to ensure that all students can easily find and access these essential products.

• Posters: Clear and visible posters are placed in bathrooms, common areas, and Learning Support offices. These posters provide information on where to access products and reinforce the message that period products are freely available to all students.
• Digital Screens & Emails: Information about the initiative is displayed on plasma screens throughout campuses and regularly shared via internal email updates to keep students informed.
• Social Media & Website Updates: SRC uses social media platforms and the College website to share details about where and how students can access free period products. Regular updates help to reinforce awareness, particularly at the beginning of each academic term when new students may be unfamiliar with the initiative.
• Student-Facing Information Sessions: The Student Engagement Team actively shares information about the initiative during student-facing sessions, wellbeing workshops, and College induction events. This helps to normalise conversations around menstruation, reduce stigma, and ensure that students feel comfortable accessing the products they need.

By adopting this multi-channel approach, SRC ensures that all students are aware of the initiative, know where to find free period products, and feel empowered to access them with confidence and dignity.

Our Commitment to Menstrual Equity

At SRC, we believe that no student should have to worry about accessing essential period products while pursuing their education. Our free period product initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting student wellbeing, reducing financial barriers, and fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect.

By ensuring that period products are easily accessible, discreetly available, and widely promoted, SRC is taking meaningful steps to address period poverty and support students in managing their health with dignity.

For more information, students can contact the Student Engagement Team on their campus or speak to staff at the Campus Service Desk.

Under the Period Products (Free Provision) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, specified public service bodies of the Department for the Economy have a statutory duty to provide period products free of charge on their premises from 12 May 2024. For more information click on the following link The Period Products (Free Provision) Act (NI) 2022 - guidance for specified public service bodies | Department for the Economy