As part of our Volunteers’ Week 2022 celebrations, and keeping in line with the theme Year of Stories, we’re featuring a series of positive stories from our wonderful Falkirk volunteers.
During Volunteers’ Week 2021, Code Red won CVS Falkirk’s Innovative Volunteer of the Year Award. We got in touch to hear what they’ve been up to since last summer.
“Code Red was established in October 2020 to support period dignity and challenge the stigma around periods within Denny High School. We make sure everyone has access to period products and continue to restock toilets for both pupils and staff throughout the year.
We were delighted to meet Monica Lennon MSP to celebrate one year of The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act at Stage 3 of the bill in November 2021 as she was our inspiration behind Code Red.
Code Red were invited by Education Scotland to deliver a professional learning event for teachers across Scotland in March 2022 which was an exciting opportunity to share our journey and support other schools in establishing a period dignity group.
We will continue to support pupils and families to sign up to the free period product service and would welcome a wider range of sustainable products to ensure those options are accessible for all people experiencing periods.”
The group is sustainable due to the range of year groups involved, so Code Red will continue at Denny High School even when the older pupils involved graduate.
When asked what Code Red might say to other young people looking to set up their own voluntary group, they recommended taking the time to consider barriers that may be faced in the initial stages, to ensure you can address and overcome them through the design of the group.
You can check out Code Red’s Q&A with Dr. Victoria Kinkaid on periods via Microsoft Sway and on contraception. Their interview with Celia Pool, co-founder of DAME, can also be viewed on Sway. Their blog post, requested by Scottish Government, can be read on the Period Poverty Scotland blog.
Read more about the 2021 Volunteer Award Winners, or watch the full Digital Awards Ceremony on Youtube (both linked for your convenience).
Follow Code Red on Twitter and Instagram.
