Period Friendly Places
2024-2025
ANNUAL IMPACT riod pe friendly REPORT Places
Summary
Period Friendly Places has made meaningful progress in 2024-2025, helping tackle period poverty and stigma across Bristol. During this transformative year, we successfully revitalised our operations and expanded our network of community venues.
Our focus throughout 2024 was growing and strengthening our network to ensure we could supply enough products to a growing number of community venues asking for our help. It was therefore vital for us to have more donation boxes in public and office locations so we could rely on the generosity of the public and corporate partners to donate period products for us to distribute. These donations are essential and reduce our need to purchase supply, meaning we can focus our costs elsewhere.
In the year to April 2024 we delivered approximately 20,000 period products to over 40 community venues across Bristol!
We achieved this through increasing our donation box locations across Bristol and other partnerships. Having a more secure supply of products allowed us to begin supplying more community venues in need with particular focus in deprived areas of the city. We almost doubled the number of community venues we supplied to over the timeframe! We’re thrilled to be helping thousands of women and girls in need, but we know we still have a long way to go.
Registered charity number: 1192211
Our year in numbers
40+ community venues
20,000+ products delivered
13 donation points
4 corporate partners
20+ volunteers
periodfriendlyplaces@gmail.com www.periodfriendlyplaces.org
period friendly Places Period Friendly Places
2024 - 2025
Our mission is to eradicate period poverty and for Bristol to be a city of period dignity, where nobody is held back or stigmatised against simply for having a period. To achieve this, we’ve set up a donation and distribution network across Bristol to make period products available for free in community venues, where they can be accessed by people who need them most.
We seek public donations of products and distribute them to community venues (places like libraries, health centres, community centres), focusing in deprived areas of the city, where they’re available for free for people in need.
Community Venues
We now provide free period products in over 40 community venues across Bristol. This is up from 26 at the end of 2024. We’ve continued to build strong relationships with our community venues and look forward to helping more as our network grows.
We’ve been able to meet demand at our existing community venues but have a growing waiting list asking for our help. We’ll need more donations and funding to allow us to keep growing our network and helping more people.
- Find our map of community venues here: www.periodfriendlyplaces.org/period boxes
Our Chair of Trustees, Danny Cox, says:
This year has been transformative for Period Friendly Places. Growing our network of community venues across Bristol has been – incredibly heartening each new venue means more people can access period products with dignity when they need them most.
The partnerships we’ve built have been remarkable, extending our reach and demonstrating the power of working together to tackle period poverty.
As we look ahead, I'm excited about our focus on sustainable period products. Creating access to reusable and more sustainable options empowers people with choices that offer lasting solutions which are also kinder to the environment.
To our volunteers, partners, community venue hosts, and supporters – thank you. You're helping to create a Bristol where no one has to worry about accessing the period products they need. That's something we can all be proud of.
periodfriendlyplaces@gmail.com www.periodfriendlyplaces.org
Registered charity number: 1192211
period friendlyPlaces Period Friendly Places
2024 - 2025
The challenge we address
Period poverty is the inability to access period products and/or having a poor knowledge of menstruation health, due to financial constraints and societal stigma. It’s another aspect of the cost-of-living-crisis, with females suffering disproportionate poverty levels. Where there is food and energy poverty there is period poverty. It remains a critical issue across the UK and in Bristol specifically. Recent research highlights the urgent need for our work:
According to a 2023 survey, one in five women in the UK struggle to afford period products. It’s even higher in Bristol - 41% of females are affected, around 96,000 women.
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Shockingly 40% of Bristol students have missed school due to period poverty.
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One study found 27% of girls overuse products as they couldn’t afford fresh ones, presenting significant hygiene/health risks.
Key achievements this year Growth of community venues
Aldi partnership
Bristol Libraries rollout
Donation drive event
The charity restores dignity, empowers individuals and ensures everyone has access to menstrual care. You help break the barriers and support the community so they aren't held back by their cycle. Keep up the great work!
Easton Leisure Centre
periodfriendlyplaces@gmail.com www.periodfriendlyplaces.org
Registered charity number: 1192211
Period Friendly Places
2024 - 2025
period friendly Places
Bristol Libraries
Establishing a relationship with Bristol Libraries has allowed us to rollout the number of libraries we supply. Free period products are available in 14 libraries across the city, giving a broad coverage in several areas we weren’t reaching previously. It’s reassuring that women and girls in need know they can access products at venues in the community like this and their periods won’t stop them going to the library for studying, reading or attending community groups.
Donation drive event
Our first ever donation drive event took place at Clifton Down Shopping Centre where 144 packets of period products were donated by the generous shoppers in Clifton. We raisied awareness of period poverty and our charity - having conversations with many shoppers who didn’t know the extent of the period poverty problem in Bristol. This event wouldn’t have been possivle without the support of the Clifton Down Shopping Centre team, our volunteers, staff, trustees and those shopping. Thank you all!
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Registered charity number: 1192211
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periodfriendlyplaces@gmail.com www.periodfriendlyplaces.org
period friendly Places Period Friendly Places
2024 - 2025
Aldi Partnership
Towards the end of 2024 we began a successful partnership with Aldi supermarkets which, thanks to their support, meant we were able to have our donation boxes in 7 of their stores across Bristol. The partnership has had a huge impact on our ability to reach more women and girls in need across Bristol. It has helped enormously with our product supply as well as raising awareness locally of our charity and mission.
In the 7 month partnership, over 1,000 packets of period products were donated by Aldi shoppers. This is approximately 16,500 individual products. Thank you to Aldi and their generous customers!
Corporate partners
We’re currently working with four corporate partners: Hargreaves Lansdown, Burges Salmon, WSP and S&W (formerly Evelyn Partners). Corporate partners and their workforces are an essential part of our network, providing dual support through product donations and volunteer engagement. We also run lunch and learn sessions to help raise community-wide awareness and engagement with period poverty and the issues we’re addressing. If your organisation wants to get involved and help make a difference to our mission, please get in touch!
FareShare South West
We joined forces with this incredible charity to distribute period products through their existing network. This included being part of their Christmas hamper campaign, providing period products to 600 families in need over Christmas 2024, and more recently trialling the delivery of period products to ten of their community members each month. Access to free period products is highly valued by the charities and families they support with food, so using their existing network and van delivery routes for a wider reach across Bristol is a perfect match! We hope the partnership keeps growing and growing.
periodfriendlyplaces@gmail.com www.periodfriendlyplaces.org
Registered charity number: 1192211
period friendlyPlaces Period Friendly Places
2024 - 2025
Volunteers
We’re run almost entirely by volunteers who help with our mission throught tasks including delivering products, raising awareness, helping at events and keeping our website updated. We’re incredibly grateful for their support and commitment and are always keen to meet people interested in join our team. There’s a variety of opportunities and ways you can get involved so if you think you can help in any way, we’d love to hear from you!
The dedication and commitment of the Period Friendly Places team to make a difference is incredibly inspiring. It's amazing how a few hours of volunteering can make such a significant impact. If you're looking for ways to support your local community, I highly recommend volunteering for Period Friendly Places - Volunteer
Looking forward - our strategic focus for 2025 and beyond
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Sustainability - we’re focusing on sourcing and supplying more sustainable and reusable period products including menstrual cups and period pants.
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Storage we re in the process of securing storage space in central Bristol to help improve our distribution efficiency, cost and access.
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Donation drive events - following our first successful donation drive, we have the support of
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Clifton Down Shopping Centre to hold further donation drives to help raise awareness and boost our supply of products.
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Broaden partnerships - we’re continuing to broaden our reach and relationships with suppliers, corporate partners, and other organisations
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Educational impact - We’re continuing to scope out ways to tackle period stigma through education.
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Fundraising we re looking for more ways to raise money to cover our core costs and make a bigger impact to people in need.
Together with the help of our volunteers, corporate partners, donors and supporters we’re helping those who need it most. For more information about our work, opportunities, or how to support us, please email us at periodfriendlyplaces@gmail.com
Thank you!
periodfriendlyplaces@gmail.com www.periodfriendlyplaces.org
Registered charity number: 1192211
Chart Title 12 io
Period Friendly Places Registered Community Interest Organisation Foundation 1192211 Statement of Financial Activities to 5th April 2025
The following accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) issued by the Charity Commission to comply with the Executive Committee's obligations as the trustees of the Charity for keeping accounting records
| Income Subscriptons & Donatons Donatons Received Grants Unrestricted Grants Restricted Awards for All Society of Merchant Venturers Stranger Friends Society Total Income Expenditure Direct Charity Bank Charges Freelance Coordinator Fundraising Salaries & Wages Insurance Printng Supplies Professional General Total Expenditure Surplus/(Defcit) Retained Funds B/fwd Total Funds Funded By: Current Account |
2025 £ £ 65 13,305 20,000 5,000 3,355 Restricted Funding 2025 |
Total 2025 2024 £ £ 65 3,250 13,305 20,000 5,000 3,355 |
|---|---|---|
| 13,370 28,355 |
41,725 3,250 |
|
| 71 9,773 144 2,941 1,039 400 3,400 26 |
71 30 4,000 335 9,773 144 2,941 1,439 3,400 26 |
|
| 7,621 10,173 |
17,794 4,365 |
|
| 5,749 18,183 |
23,931 (1,115) |
|
| 6,597 7,712 |
||
| 30,528 6,597 |
||
| 30,528 6,597 |
Notes to the Accounts
- The accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments basis and no account has been taken of accrued/ prepaid income or expenditure
Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of Period Friendly Places Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the charities act) and that an independent examination is needed.
| independent examinaton is needed. | independent examinaton is needed. |
|---|---|
| It is my responsibility to: | |
| . | examine the accounts under secton 145 of the Charites Act |
| . | to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directon |
| . | given by the Charity Commission (under secton 145(5)(b) of the |
| . | Charites Act) and |
| . | to state whether partcular maters have come to my atenton |
Basis of Independent Examiners Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with these records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in in audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair' view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below,
Independent Examiners Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Michael J Bowles
Independent Examiner 21st January 2026
Notes to the Accounts
- The accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments basis and no account has been taken of accrued/
prepaid income or expenditure
Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of Period Friendly Places Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that
an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the charities act) and that an
independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the
-
. Charities Act
-
.
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Direction
-
given by the Charity Commission (under section
-
. 145(5)(b) of the
-
. Charities Act) and
-
.
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of Independent Examiners Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. An
examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the
accounts presented with these records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures
in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in in audit, and consequently
no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair' view and the report is limited to those
matters set out in the statement below,
Independent Examiners Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the
accounts to be reached.
Michael J Bowles
Independent Examiner 21st January 2026