Yorkshire Water and Hey Girls period education programme reaches 1,700 students

As schools across Yorkshire prepare to break up for the summer holidays, Yorkshire Water and Hey Girls are celebrating the success of their ongoing education programme, since its launch the Yorkshire Water education team have visited 18 schools, delivered 80 sessions and reached 1,726 students as well as 155 adults through school-based activities.  

The programme helps tackle period poverty, improve understanding of menstrual health and encourage the use of sustainable period products. It also educates people about what should and shouldn't be flushed down the toilet, helping to prevent sewer blockages caused by incorrectly disposed period products.  

Through the partnership, Yorkshire Water and Hey Girls are providing 20,000 reusable period product starter packs across Yorkshire. 

One of the partnership's key successes has been the lasting impact seen in schools after sessions have ended. At Dixons Trinity Academy in Bradford, staff developed follow-up lessons following Yorkshire Water's visits, helping to continue conversations around periods, menstrual health, sustainable products and environmental responsibility. The academy has hosted multiple sessions throughout the year. 

Following a Yorkshire Water and Hey Girls session at Outwood Academy Ripon, Amy Richards, associate assistant principal for personal development, said: "This has kick-started conversations at the Academy about periods, products and comfort. Having a chance to talk to students about options, having them available to see and feel and giving them all the context around the environmental impacts of single-use products has empowered our girls.” 

The programme has also expanded beyond schools, with Yorkshire Water delivering its first adult focused Hey Girls session at Women Zone in Bradford earlier this year, bringing menstrual health education, practical support and blockage prevention advice to women in the local community. 

Anne Reed, social value and education manager at Yorkshire Water, said: "The partnership is helping us tackle two important issues, period poverty and sewer blockages. By providing education and access to sustainable period products, we're helping people make informed choices about menstrual health while also raising awareness about the impact flushing period products can have on the sewer network. It's fantastic to see the programme reaching so many people and to see schools continuing those conversations after our sessions have finished." 

Schools interested in booking a free Yorkshire Water and Hey Girls session for the new academic year can find out more on the Education website page here:  yorkshirewater.com/education/teachers/hey-girls/