West Dunbartonshire Council is to provide free sanitary products in a range of public buildings from next week.
The new initiative will allow women, girls and transgender people to access a supply of items in 21 locations, including libraries, foodbanks, community centres and council offices.
The aim of the scheme is to end period poverty by making sure everyone who needs these products can pick them up for free at an easily accessible pick up point.
Read more: Stepping up the fight on period povertyCouncillor Docherty said: “We are delighted to launch this new initiative here today, as it is something we feel very strongly about.
"Sanitary products are not a choice, they are a necessity, and that is the case regardless of how much money you have in your pocket.
“This initiative will ensure that nobody in West Dunbartonshire is left in the embarrassing situation of having to use improper protection or none at all, simply because they cannot afford it.”
Councillor McAllister added: “These free sanitary products will be available at buildings based all over West Dunbartonshire, meaning that no resident should have to go without.
“They will be available for collection in both female and male toilets with no questions asked – people can simply pop in and take what you need for yourself or your family member or friend.
“We want to end the stigma that comes along with this challenge, and end period poverty itself. The launch of the scheme will go some way towards achieving that goal.”
The scheme is being funded by West Dunbartonshire Council alongside money received from the Scottish Government in March help tackle poverty with a focus on period poverty.
The council has made a three-year commitment and social enterprise Hey Girls have been contracted to provide the products.
Hey Girls gives a box of sanitary items away for each box sold and, in the last 12 months, they have donated more than 2.4 million products.
Click here for all the latest news in Dumbarton and the ValeTo find out more about the initiative visit west-dunbarton.gov.uk/endperiodpoverty.
Sanitary products can be collected from the following locations:
Alexandria Community Centre: Main Street, Alexandria, G83 0NU
Alexandria Library: Gilmour Street, Alexandria, G83 0DA
Centre 81: 2 Braes Ave, Clydebank, G81 3DP
Clydebank Health Centre: Kilbowie Road, Clydebank, G81 2TQ
Clydebank Hub: 405 Kilbowie Road, Clydebank, G81 2TX
Clydebank Town Centre Office: 10 Sylvania Way South, Clydebank, G81 1EA
Clydebank Town Hall: Dumbarton Road, Clydebank, G81 1AU
Concord Centre: St Mary’s Way, Dumbarton, G82 1LJ
Dalmuir CC: Duntocher Road, Dalmuir, G81 3QX
Dalmuir Library: Lennox Place, Dalmuir, G81 4LX
Dumbarton Health Centre: Station Road, Dumbarton, G82 1PW
Food4Thought: St Augustines High St, Dumbarton, G82 1LL
Glenhead Centre: Duntiglennan Road, Duntocher, G81 6HF
Haldane Youth: c/o Haldane Primary School, Miller Road, Balloch, G83 8AA
Tullochan Family Centre: 9-11 Poplar Road, Dumbarton , G82 2RD
Vale Centre for Health & Care: Main Street, Alexandria, G83 0UA
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 Street, Dumbarton, G82 1QL
West Dunbartonshire Communtiy Foodshare:Levenvalley Enterprise Centre, Castlehill Road, Dumbarton, G82 5BN
Ysortit: 5 West Thomson St, Clydebank, G81 3EA
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