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Welcome to the Period Peers Programme

The Period Peers Programme harnesses the power of peer-to-peer support to break down the stigma surrounding periods and build girls’ and young people’s knowledge to manage their period confidently. 

The Period Peers Programme harnesses the power of peer-to-peer support to break down the stigma surrounding periods and build girls’ and young people’s knowledge to manage their period confidently. 

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A group smile and talk during a workshop
Caitlin (18) and youth worker Jasmine at a workshop to develop the Period Peers handbook.

Periods are a normal part of life, but there is still so much silence an​​d stigma around them. Paired with this, a lack of menstrual health education means many girls and young people​​ don’t receive the support they need to feel confident in m​​anaging their periods or talking about them openly, and organisations do not always foster a period positive environment. 

The Period Peers Programme is here to change that. We are encouraging and supporting girls and young people to become Period Proud Peers and to deliver peer-led activities from our Period Proud Peer handbook. By supporting each other and having open and inclusive conversations, it will help increase menstrual health knowledge so that girls and young people feel more confident in managing their periods and seeking help when they need it.

It also aims to bring organisations on the Period Proud Environment journey too. By taking small steps - such as providing free period products and consulting young people on how best to promote and distribute them - organisations can create a more inclusive and supportive space for girls and young people who have periods.

At Plan International UK, we've teamed up with Nurofen's See My Pain campaign to bring together a peer-led community of girls and young people to deliver fun and informal menstrual health activities and support organisations to become Period Proud Environments. Together, we're breaking down stigma, sharing knowledge and making sure young people have the confidence to seek help when they need it.  

Become a period proud peer and download our period proud peer handbook 

Help your organisation become a period proud environment and sign up to our free online training

In the uk...

2,000,0000

girls

have missed a part day or full day of school because of their period.

1 in 4

girls

said they didn’t know what to do when they started their period.

1 in 2

women and girls

feel they had their pain ignored or dismissed because of their gender. 

By delivering the Period Peers Programme, we will:

  1. Encourage girls and young people to engage with the Period Peers Programme and handbook​, reducing period shame and stigma while normalising conversations about periods 
  2. Increase menstrual health knowledge so girls and young people can manage their periods effectively and participate confidently in everyday life 
  3. Build confidence in seeking advice and support - whether from medical professionals, friends, or family 
  4. Encourage organisations to create Period Proud Environments, ensuring young people feel supported in managing their periods 
  5. Support community settings to better understand the support girls need with their menstrual health​, while breaking down gender bias, shame, and stigma 
  6. Close the awareness and knowledge gaps on menstrual health and period pain through peer and youth-centred education​  

FIND OUT MORE

Taina, 22, smiles while taking part in a group activity
Taina, 22, took part in a workshop to help develop the Period Proud Peer handbook.

Become a Period Proud Peer

Read more

Ellie, 18, at the Period Proud pilot workshop.
Ellie, 18, at the Period Proud pilot workshop.

Create a Period Proud Environment

Read more

Supported by an educational grant from Nurofen.

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Nurofen 'See my pain' logo

 

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