During four vibrant days in February, The Period Place hosted its inaugural festival activation, made possible by the generosity of Splore Festival organisers.

Our aim was to create an inclusive and empowering menstruation space, promoting period equity, providing education on menstruation and reusable options, engaging in stigma-breaking conversations, and offering a comfortable environment for those experiencing menstruation symptoms.

The experience at Splore was exhilarating, empowering, and exhausting, providing valuable insights that we are now integrating into our core pillars: Access, Conversation and Education.

Access: menstruation-friendly spaces

We were pleased to provide disposable products to menstruators who found themselves in need during the festival. While exact numbers weren't captured due to the busy nature of the stall, we estimate between 50 - 80 menstruators were served.

Additionally, Splore organisers set up a Menstruation Station, a designated area within a park toilet block exclusively for menstruators. This station had running water for washing reusable products and hands, a rubbish bin for product disposal, sanitising spray, ample space, and provided disposable products.

Opportunity: For future festivals, TPP aims to collaborate with organisers to establish menstruation stations and designated portaloo options for menstruators. We also see potential in engaging with portaloo companies to advocate for menstruation-friendly options across festival sites. Collaboration with festival organisers, sponsors, vendors and volunteers will produce additional insights and improvements.

Conversation: breaking the stigma 

One undeniable takeaway from Splore was the eagerness of people to engage in conversations about periods. Through hundreds of interactions, three main themes emerged:

• Quickly: Acknowledgment of the need for TPP and its work, particularly from individuals who no longer menstruate but wished TPP had been available during their menstruating years.

• Colloquially: In-depth conversations covering a range of topics including allies seeking to expand their knowledge about menstruation and products, as well as menstruators interested in managing their menstrual journey better.

• Deeply: Sharing of intensely personal experiences, often involving pain, grief, and trauma.

By creating distinct spaces at TPP - the product tent and the relaxation tent - we were able to provide the right environments for these conversations. The majority of discussions revolved around reusable products and different options for managing periods.

Opportunity: As TPP re-engages with community outreach, there is vast potential to facilitate meaningful conversations about menstruation. This approach can be tailored for specific audiences and locations. We also plan to create a platform for people to ask questions, with answers shared on social media.

Education: empowering educators with knowledge

Approximately 70% of conversations revolved around individuals effectively managing their periods but seeking more information about menstrual discs and cups. Many had tried cups before and were curious about the differences with discs, implications for period sex, and compatibility with devices like the Mirena (prescription intrauterine device). One of our volunteers, a qualified health promoter, used a model of the female reproductive system to explain these products, which was highly beneficial for understanding.

Opportunity: There is immense potential for TPP to offer menstrual health education and information on various products. This avenue should be explored further and adequately funded for maximum impact.

Next steps: sustaining impact and future growth 

In the coming weeks, TPP will focus on establishing a consistent, high-quality menstrual activation space available at events. This will involve:

• Developing funding mechanisms: We will actively seek funding opportunities to support our initiatives. This includes grants, partnerships with organizations aligned with our mission, and potentially exploring crowdfunding avenues. Sustainable funding will allow us to continue providing essential services and expanding our reach.

• Building a robust volunteer programme: Volunteers are the heart of our organisation. We will work on developing a structured volunteer programme that offers training, support, and meaningful engagement opportunities. This will not only enhance our capacity but also create a community of passionate individuals dedicated to menstrual equity.

• Expanding impact through collaboration: Collaboration remains central to our mission. TPP will seek to strengthen partnerships with festival organisers, sponsors, vendors, and health professionals. By pooling resources and expertise, we can amplify our impact and advocate for menstruation-friendly options beyond festival settings.

  
  

Gratitude and acknowledgements 

We are immensely grateful for the opportunity Splore provided us, and we are filled with excitement about the future possibilities for The Period Place in promoting period equity and education. This journey would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our volunteer crew for Splore. Many, many thanks to:

• Sarah Hammerton

• Xavier Walsh

• Nicki Brogan

Their incredible contributions and tireless efforts have been instrumental in making our inaugural festival activation a success. We look forward to continuing this important work together. A big thank you to Hello Period and Modibodi for providing products for demonstration purposes.

Thank you to everyone who has supported The Period Place. Your commitment to menstrual equity is truly appreciated. Together, we can create a world where menstruation is understood, respected, and supported.