WOMEN in Bathurst now have greater access to period products thanks to headspace and Share the Dignity.
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Bathurst's headspace office in Keppel Street now has a Share the Dignity vending machine, which dispenses free pads and tampons.
The machine is located in the bathroom near reception and is able to dispense a pack of six tampons and two pads every ten minutes.
Use of the machine won't be restricted to clients of headspace, meaning that anyone in need will be able to access period products.
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The aim of the machine is to reduce period poverty, so women don't have to choose between buying either period products or other essentials, like food.
Practice lead Melinda Lake said it will be particularly helpful for young girls who are just starting out.
"Sometimes young girls aren't in a position in their families to be able to share when they first start menstruating, so it gives them a little bit of time to work out who they can talk to about things without having to be put in a position where they have to purchase things, they can do it in private," she said.
The machine will be refilled once a month by two volunteers from Share the Dignity, Lauren Bradbury and Tammie Myers.
However, if the machine is well utilised, refills will be done as needed.
Both women think the vending machines are a good initiative.
"What's great about the vending machines is that, in the past, lots of charities had period products to share with their clients, but some people would feel embarrassment at having to actually go and ask for them from another person," Ms Bradbury said.
"With the vending machines, they're just ready to use; you don't have to tell anyone, you don't have to ask anyone, you can just access what you need."
Woolworths is funding 80 Share the Dignity vending machines, with half of these now installed.
The machine at headspace is the only one in Bathurst and one of 212 across Australia.
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