UCL
How UCL, Sodexo and Hey Girls are turning Project Period into a reliable, everyday part of life across one of the UK's largest university campuses
The Challenge
UCL had already made a start on period provision through Project Period. But scaling free period products across a large and complex university estate takes more than good intentions - it takes logistics.
That means identifying the right locations, understanding what different departments actually need, managing stock, and connecting the people who want to introduce provision with the people who can approve it.
Why Hey Girls
Hey Girls added another layer: sustainable products, and a social enterprise model that reinvests 100% of profits into tackling period poverty - reflecting a wider view of sustainability that considers people as well as planet. As UCL's FM partner, Sodexo helps make period provision practical across campus by:
Identifying suitable locations for period provision
Understanding the needs of individual departments
Managing stock and replenishment
Connecting the people who want to introduce provision with the people who can make it happen
partners supported nationwide
donations to date
Hey Girls founded as a Scottish social enterprise
profits reinvested
The Impact
More conversations. Wider reach. Growing impact.
Since introducing Hey Girls and sharing the partnership more widely, UCL has seen growing interest and enquiries from departments wanting to introduce or expand provision.
The initiative is also helping to:
- Open new conversations across UCL about sustainability, choice and period poverty
- Build on the work already started through Project Period
- Create wider social impact through Hey Girls' 100% profit reinvestment model
Reporting on scale is still being developed, but for Sodexo, the growing interest from departments is itself the clearest sign the initiative is working.
“Period products are something we need to purchase to support students and staff. If we can meet that need while also creating a positive impact for someone else, that gives the purchase a much wider purpose.”
- Sodexo, UCL's FM Partner
People, planet, community
For UCL and Sodexo, Project Period has grown from pads and tampons in toilets into a wider conversation about period dignity, sustainability and social value. Working with a social enterprise like Hey Girls means an everyday purchasing decision can also support communities tackling period poverty across the UK.
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