Period poverty is an escalating issue with wide-ranging effects on individuals and communities. At the forefront of the campaign for menstrual health is Bloody Good Period, a UK-based charity which advocates for the rights of all people who bleed. We spoke with Elysha Paige, Development Director to find out more about her role, and how leading an employee network inspired her to work for the charity.
It’s hard to believe that in 2024, women and people who menstruate remain at risk of period poverty. Period products aren’t free and accessible in the UK, which means that many people can’t afford or access them. And period poverty doesn’t just affect those who experience it directly. The ripple effects are felt throughout society. Lack of access to menstrual products can generate significant stigma and shame, impacting mental health and education, and leading to social isolation.
Starting life as a Facebook group, Bloody Good Period has grown to be the UK’s largest period poverty charity, delivering thousands of menstrual products each year, and providing reproductive health education to those who need it. The charity also works to break taboos and normalise conversations about periods. “We believe that no one should be denied access to period products because of their financial situation”, says Elysha Paige. “We fight for menstrual equity and the rights of all women and people who bleed, so that no one is held back by their period or society’s warped perception of the menstruating body.”
Elysha joined the charity’s social enterprise arm Bloody Good Employers (BGE) in 2021, after starting her career in tech in the city. BGE aims to revolutionise how people think about menstrual and gender equity at work– so that workplaces are set up for women and people who menstruate, to thrive. “When we think about striving for gender inclusivity in the workplace, menstrual health should be part of that ambition”, explains Elysha. “Our research shows that 89% of people have experienced stress or anxiety at work due to their period, and 25% say their career progression has been affected, which is shocking.”
The devastating impact of period poverty is further highlighted in a recent report which estimates the cost of menstrual workplace absence at £3.25 billion to UK businesses every year. “There is a real business issue here that needs to be resolved”, says Elysha. “We want to make places of work inclusive for people who menstruate, so that they can thrive and participate along with everyone else.”
To tackle period poverty, Bloody Good Period has launched a range of powerful initiatives, including an employer accreditation scheme and a wider national lobbying campaign. BGP’s work with employers involves collaboration with employee networks and resource groups, and Elysha says that they are a vital ally in their campaign for workplace change.
“ERGs often reach out to us to find out about our work”, says Elysha. “And they drive much of what we do in the workplace, because they are passionate, care deeply about the subject and have influence.” The charity hosts workshops to help ERGs champion the cause internally, and helps them to build the business case with HR teams too. “From my experience of working in the private sector and being part of an ERG previously, I understand how ERGs work and have seen firsthand the impact they can make”, she says.
While working in tech consulting, Elysha joined and later led a women’s employee network and the experience was life changing. “I was doing well, climbing the corporate ladder, but it felt as though something was missing. All of the pieces fell into place when I joined the women’s network. This was where I felt passionate. This was where I belonged.”
As part of the network, Elysha led a campaign to increase parental leave for all employees, in a bid to retain and attract more women within the business. The campaign was successful, and Elysha describes the pride she felt as an ‘early sign’ that she was destined to work in activism. “The women’s network was the first place where I was able to marry my activist bones with my professional ones. It was my entry point into wanting to do something more meaningful.”
Elysha decided to look for a career where she could channel her passion for activism to make a difference – a decision which ultimately led to her working at Bloody Good Period. “When the opportunity arose, it just felt like the job was really right for me. It was a real values match, in an area of work that I’m absolutely passionate about.”
Looking back on her journey into the third sector, Elysha points to her experience with the women’s network as being a key milestone, giving her a sense of belonging that she was keen to find in future roles. She also says that ERG leadership helped her to look at the private sector more positively.
“Leading an employee network helped me to be optimistic about the private sector because I saw first hand that there are people who want to make a difference. The third sector can sometimes be quick to judge those who work in the private sector, and vice versa. I have a real ambition to draw attention to the dynamic and exhilarating nature of the third sector and encourage people from the private sector to join us! There’s a stigma on both sides that I want to break down. I think we can
learn a lot from one another, and employee networks can help these conversations to happen.”
For more information about Bloody Good Period and how you can get involved, visit bloodygoodperiod.com and if you want your employer to become a Bloody Good Employer then you can email Elysha directly at elysha@bloodygoodperiod.com.
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