Hey Girls CIC

At Hey Girls we are revolutionising periods as the only social enterprise that donates 100% of our profit to funding the fight to eradicate period poverty and lobby for period dignity across the UK.

In under 5 years, we have become the main provider of period products to the local authorities throughout the UK, delivered on huge corporate accounts and won tender contracts over big commercial names.

We are proud to be female lead and the only company to match our product sales exactly as donations – when you buy one, we donate one.

We distribute donations via our UK wide community partner network who work on the frontline to support vulnerable people.

As social enterprise of the year, we break records, boundaries, and bias when it comes to period equality to ensure everyone has access to sustainable products and inclusive education – for free!

Your Company’s Approach to Healthcare:

Hey Girl’s approach to healthcare can be understood as a movement or philosophy that emphasizes inclusivity, empowerment, and a holistic view of well-being, particularly for women and marginalised communities.

Impact of Your Products/​Services on Healthcare:

Hey Girls is a social enterprise that focuses on providing sustainable menstrual products and tackling period poverty. The impact of Hey Girls’ products and services on healthcare can be examined through several key aspects:
1. **Access to Menstrual Products**
– **Improved Menstrual Hygiene**: Hey Girls’ provision of sustainable menstrual products, such as reusable pads and menstrual cups, ensures that more individuals have access to hygienic menstrual care. This can reduce the incidence of infections and other health issues related to poor menstrual hygiene.
– **Period Poverty Reduction**: By offering free products through a “buy one, give one” model, Hey Girls helps reduce period poverty. This ensures that individuals who might otherwise use unhygienic alternatives or miss school/work due to lack of menstrual products have better health outcomes.

2. **Education and Awareness**
– **Menstrual Health Education**: Hey Girls provides educational resources about menstrual health, which can lead to better understanding and management of menstruation. Education can also help destigmatize menstruation and encourage individuals to seek medical help when needed, improving overall health outcomes.
– **Awareness Campaigns**: By raising awareness about menstrual health and period poverty, Hey Girls can influence public health policies and encourage other organizations to address these issues, potentially leading to systemic improvements in healthcare.

3. **Sustainability and Environmental Health**
– **Reduction in Waste**: The use of reusable menstrual products reduces the environmental burden of disposable menstrual products. This has long-term positive effects on environmental health, which is intrinsically linked to human health.
– **Chemical-Free Products**: Many Hey Girls products are made without harmful chemicals, reducing the risk of exposure to potentially harmful substances that can be found in some conventional menstrual products.

4. **Economic Impact**
– **Cost Savings**: Reusable products can save users money over time compared to disposable products. This economic benefit can lead to better allocation of household resources, including towards healthcare needs.
– **Work and Education Attendance**: Providing reliable access to menstrual products helps ensure that individuals do not miss school or work, leading to better educational and economic outcomes, which are social determinants of health.

5. **Mental and Emotional Health**
– **Reducing Stigma and Anxiety**: By addressing period poverty and promoting menstrual health education, Hey Girls helps reduce the stigma and anxiety associated with menstruation. This can improve the mental and emotional well-being of individuals.
– **Empowerment and Confidence**: Having access to reliable menstrual products and education can empower individuals, improving their confidence and overall quality of life.

6. **Community Health**
– **Support for Vulnerable Populations**: Hey Girls’ initiatives often target vulnerable populations, including low-income communities and schools. By improving menstrual health in these groups, they contribute to better community health outcomes.

In summary, Hey Girls’ products and services have a multifaceted impact on healthcare. By improving access to sustainable menstrual products, providing education, and advocating for menstrual health, they contribute to better physical, mental, and environmental health outcomes, while also addressing broader social determinants of health.