Durham Police and Crime Commissioner, Joy Allen has announced joint funding with Unison and the Police Federation to allow for free sanitary products for Durham Constabulary staff, the first in the country to front this kind of initiative.
The scheme involves 26 of the Constabulary’s sites being deployed with Aunt Flow vending machines and FabLittleBag dispensers being deployed to 132 estates. The FabLittleBag dispensers are sustainably sourced disposal bags for sanitary products that are able to be sealed for safe and hygienic disposal.
This approach is inspired by ground breaking legislation passed by the Scottish Government that placed a legal duty on local authorities in Scotland to provide free sanitary products “for anyone who needs them.” This is not currently mandated in England.
PCC Joy Allen said, “We understand the barriers that some people face when it comes to accessing sanitary products and I am thankful that I have been able to work with the Police Federation and Unison to provide this facility for the hard working staff of Durham Constabulary.”
The scheme is currently being funded for a year and will be further reviewed following the conclusion of this funding.
Durham Constabulary’s Health Services Manager is Angela Power. She added, “The wellbeing of our colleagues is an integral part of Durham Constabulary and the delivery of an excellent policing service to our local communities across County Durham and Darlington. Aunt Flow will also provide items to local charities and food banks for packs purchased by the Constabulary, which allows us to support our local communities with period poverty and the cost of living crisis.”
