Let’s talk about periods

This year, King’s Volunteering are partnering with The Pachamama Project, a charity working to build a network of volunteers to make reusable sanitary pads for those in need. 

Defined by the lack of access to hygiene facilities, menstrual products and education, Period Poverty affects millions of women, girls and people who menstruate despite being a basic human right. 

Rooted in socio-environmental inequalities and impacting communities already disadvantaged by other factors, the psychological and health effects of period poverty is well-documented. Charities like the Binti Period, The Pachama Project and Bloody Good Period are working to tackle these issues in a range of ways, with all in agreement that they shouldn’t have to exist and that these gendered experiences require policy change and urgent action from governing bodies.  

Take action

We know that there are many skilled craftspeople across the King’s community and, this Christmas and new year, we are asking you to harness those craft skills to tackle period poverty. You might be thinking, what’s the connection between craft and period poverty? Well back in 2020 during the first covid lockdown, a student at Bristol University, Ella Lambert, conceived an idea that brought sewing and period dignity together; an idea that has led to the development of The Pachamama Project, a charity who have built a network of over 2,500 volunteers who have to date sewn over 160,000 reusable sanitary pads for refugees and other vulnerable people experiencing period poverty around the world.

This year, King’s Volunteering have partnered with The Pachamama Project to mobilise a network of students and staff at King’s to create reusable sanitary pads (“Pacha Pads”) to gift to refugees across the world who are experiencing period poverty. 

If you have a sewing machine, you can contribute to the Pachamama Project by creating Pacha Pads at home and donating them at our Donation Stations across King’s campuses.

If you do not have access to a sewing machine but you would still like to contribute to the project, you can create the fabric bags that the Pacha Pads are gifted to their recipients in. Whilst you can make these using a sewing machine, you can also hand sew these bags instead. 

Find out how you can contribute to the campaign on the King’s Volunteering Campaigns page.

Ella Lambert, CEO and Founder of The Pachamama Project, discusses the value of partnering with universities like King’s:

“I’m really proud and excited about this collaboration with King’s Volunteering. I started this project when I was at university and although it has grown beyond what I could have imagined, it’s still a university project at heart - built for people who have busy lives but still want to do good. 

“Since starting The Pachamama Project in lockdown, we have grown a network of over 2,500 volunteers, collectively made over 160,000 pads and supported 20,000 people out of period poverty - keeping girls in education, women in work and restoring dignity. I encourage you to join our 0-commitment, beginner-friendly, sew project and join our very special community.”

In October, Ella Lambert joined us for our event, Connecting with Charities: Period Poverty. Watch some highlights from her talk here.

Gillian Sherwin-Lee, CRM Operations Manager in Brand and Marketing, has contributed to the project by sewing 29 beautiful Pacha Pads.

Here she talks about what motivated her to take part in the campaign and her experience sewing the pads.

“I’ve been interested in the intersection between craft and activism since I began crafting as a teenager. This project is a perfect fit as I want to support those dealing with period poverty and I learnt how to machine sew this year. Many women are placed in harrowing situations because of period poverty and I want to help in any small way I can.

It’s been really simple to get involved as the pattern can be printed on A4 paper and I already had a few of the materials (such as cotton). It’s a really good beginner project because it’s small and doesn’t require any particularly complicated techniques. It’s also taught me a lot about troubleshooting my machine for fabrics with different thicknesses. It’s been satisfying seeing everything come together with each pad."

Check out more of Gillian’s work including knitted, crocheted and embroidered pieces on Instagram - @full.of.glee

Staff and students from across King’s attend a sewing workshop to tackle period poverty

In November, eight members of staff and students came together for a sewing workshop aimed at addressing period poverty. They learnt how to backstitch by hand and then got started constructing the bags that the Pacha Pads are gifted to their recipients in.

Making the Pacha Pad bags is a perfect beginner sewing project that doesn’t require a sewing machine so anyone can get involved! You can find instructions on the King’s Volunteering Campaigns page.

Floella Bird, Executive Officer in the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences, talks about why she joined the workshop:

“I was motivated to get involved with the Pacha Pad bag workshop because I am passionate about supporting communities and sustainability and saw it as an opportunity to contribute whilst being creative and learning something new. I’ve always had a creative side, which I honed during my time performing as a Dancer in the production shows on cruise ships. That’s where I learned to sew and discovered how empowering it can be to make something with your hands. The experience of creating the bags was incredibly rewarding, knowing they’ll make a difference in people’s lives.”

King’s Volunteering are accepting donations of Pacha Pads and bags until 31st January. They can be dropped off at Donation Stations across Strand, Guy’s, Waterloo and Denmark Hill campuses. You can find all the details including instructions, templates and Donation Station locations on the King’s Volunteering Campaigns page.

Stay updated with King’s Volunteering’s events, activities and opportunities by signing up to the King’s Volunteering platform and following us @ServiceAtKings on Instagram and LinkedIn.