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New project to expand access to reusable period products across campus
A collaboration between the EDI office and areas across University College Cork. (UCC) for a new initiative to expand access to reusable period products at University College Cork has received a €10,000 grant from the UCC Alumni Fund.
The funding will support a three-year project that will enhance period dignity provision on campus by offering students access to a range of reusable menstrual products, complementing existing supports and providing greater choice.
The initiative reflects UCC's commitment to equality, inclusion, sustainability and student wellbeing. By encouraging the use of reusable products, the project aims to reduce reliance on single-use alternatives while helping to lower the long-term cost of menstrual care for students.
A collaborative effort
The project is a collaborative effort involving the UCC Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Unit, UCC Students' Union, UCC Green Campus, Buildings & Estates, and MSc Management & Marketing student Denise Kelleher, whose original proposal for reusable menstrual products inspired the initiative.
Denise Kelleher said: "What inspired this proposal was a student project I completed during my undergraduate degree in International Development. Alongside four classmates, we wanted to see how food insecurity was among UCC students. A key insight from the data was the prevalence of period poverty on campus. By introducing a more sustainable solution, such as reusable sanitary kits, we can help solve this problem and empower students with greater independence. This offers a long-term solution with dignity.”
The new initiative builds on UCC's existing commitment to period dignity. Earlier this year, Healthy Campus funding was secured to continue providing sustainable disposable period products through campus dispensers for a further three years. The additional support from the UCC Alumni Fund will enable the University to expand its provision by introducing reusable options alongside the existing service.
UCC Students' Union Welfare Officer Caoimhe Brinkley welcomed the funding, saying: "Supporting this initiative reflects our commitment to student wellbeing and inclusion. Working in partnership across the University means we can provide students with greater choice, while also promoting awareness and helping to reduce the stigma surrounding menstrual health."
Programme of student-led awareness and education activities
Alongside the distribution of reusable products, the project will deliver a programme of student-led awareness and education activities, including events to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day each year. These initiatives will encourage informed choices, promote menstrual health awareness and continue to challenge stigma around menstruation.
The project has been made possible through the support of the UCC Alumni Fund and Cork University Foundation. Thanks to the generosity of UCC alumni, staff and friends around the world, this funding will help bring the initiative to life and further enhance the student experience by making menstrual health support more sustainable, inclusive and accessible.