Hibs Show Period Poverty The Red Card Through New Partnership
Hibernian FC are helping kick period poverty out of football through a landmark partnership with Hey Girls!
Free period products are now being stocked in supporter toilets throughout the Easter Road Stadium thanks to the Club’s link-up with Musselburgh-based social enterprise Hey Girls.
Hibernian FC are the first professional football club in Scotland the social enterprise has partnered with in this way, and it is hoped the move will inspire more to follow suit.
Kate Smith, Co-Founder and Director of Hey Girls, said: “Hibs were the first football team we ever worked with when we launched our social enterprise in 2018 (shown below). It is great to work with them once again and launch this new partnership.
“No fan should have to miss out on watching their beloved team because they do not have access to period products. All of us should be showing period poverty the red card.
“It is great to see such a historic club recognise this and fly the flag for period dignity in football.”
Hey Girls works with more than 300 businesses across the UK in introducing period dignity schemes for staff, customers and guests – as well as the Scottish FA and a professional club in England.
All products purchased by its partners are matched with a donation to Hey Girls’ network of more than 350 community partners, including foodbanks, homeless shelters and refuges in Edinburgh and the wider UK.
It has so far donated more than 38 million products – and it is hoped the partnership with Hibernian will generate many thousands more.
Lauren Dunn, HR Assistant at Hibernian FC, added: “I am delighted to welcome Hey Girls back to Easter Road.
“Hibernian FC has always been a Club with its roots at the heart of its local community. Providing free period products from a local social enterprise was a no-brainer when reconnecting with Hey Girls. We have fully stocked our bathrooms for supporters, players, staff, and anyone visiting the Stadium to access, regardless of what team they support. We have also extended this to our Training Centre, so nobody will ever be caught short when visiting Hibernian FC.
“We fully support Hey Girl's mission to help end period poverty and the stigma surrounding periods. We look forward to our partnership flourishing and hope we can support as many people as possible.”
For more information on Hey Girls and how to become a partner, visit www.heygirls.co.uk.