How A Bag for Flo was born!
Hello! I’m Laura, founder, self-proclaimed teaficionado and visionary behind A Bag for Flo. I am a big believer that no person should be left behind and if we all do one small thing that can help someone or improve their day, then we should. My first experience of period poverty was working within the NHS, I was all too aware of the impact poverty was having in my local community, but did not fully understand the impact of period poverty. I was shocked and horrified at the amount of women and people who menstruate that were unable to afford period care. I decided to do something about it.
At first I helped the local community, but soon realised the problem was far bigger and needed to do more. When starting the charity I was lucky enough to know some fantastic women who shared my views and together we took a deep dive into the research of period poverty and the statistics angered us even further. The fact nothing was really being done was bad enough, but nobody was talking about it. This was the most upsetting part, almost as though it was taboo to talk about periods. We decided we had to do something and so, A Bag for Flo was born.
Period poverty goes much deeper than not having period products, it affects daily lives, social interactions, education and health. In 2024* within the UK period poverty rose to 21%, that’s more than one in five. A whopping 2.8 million women and people who menstruate are now struggling to afford period products. With no access to period products women and those who menstruate are given no choice on how to care for themselves when on their periods, they are being left with limited and dangerous options, such as over-using or re-using period products or using alternatives such as tissue and clothing.
We created three period bags (let’s call them the originals). These bags will support a user for a month and most importantly give them a choice as to what they want to use. We do not require referrals, we do not means test our users or put a limit on how many bags they can have. At A Bag for Flo we understand our periods are personal and there is no such thing as ‘a normal period’.
We are (for now) a small charity with big (huge) dreams. We are a small group of volunteers who feel passionately about helping people. We rely on the support of local organisations, businesses, and volunteers. There is so much more we want to do, fancy getting involved or want to support us? Find us on social media, or donate (if you can) via our JustGiving page. Let’s shout about periods, they’re perfectly normal and no one should be going without period products.
We look forward to you joining us on our journey, maybe even helping us set up a pick-up point in your area. For any more information, questions or to get involved, please email info@abagforflo.com
Right… time for tea!
Laura 🙂
*Action Aid Report: Cost of living: UK period poverty has risen from 12% to 21% in a year
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