FREE period products are being made available to all schools and colleges in England from today, Monday, as the Department for Education launches its fully funded scheme.

The new initiative is set to give pupils easy access to period products at school or college, helping to break down stigmas and ensure no young person's education is disrupted by their period.

From today, schools and colleges across the country will be able to order a range of period products from supplier phs Group, making period products readily available for all young people when they need them.

Millions of period products are being prepared in a newly refurbished, dedicated warehouse ready to be dispatched ahead of the first orders.

Schools and colleges will receive an activation email from phs which will enable them to access the purpose-built phs Direct portal and order products for their organisation.

There is a wide range of products from pads and tampons to environmentally-friendly pads and reusable products.

This follows the Government's commitment last year to fully fund period products for all state-funded primary schools, secondary schools and colleges.

It also forms part of the Department's ambition to improve provision of products for young people, helping to support campaigns to break the stigma around periods and raise awareness of menstruation.

Children and Families Minister Michelle Donelan said: "Periods are a normal part of everyday life and we do not want young people missing out on lessons because of them.

"We know that it is not easy for everyone to access period products where and when they need them.

"This scheme will deal with those problems so young people can go about their daily lives without getting caught out if they have come on their period unexpectedly, forgotten to bring products with them or if they can't afford the products they need."

The scheme also comes just months before health education becomes a compulsory for all state funded primary and secondary schools, under new guidance on relationships, sex and health education from September 2020 to ensure all young people learn about living healthy lives, including menstrual wellbeing.

Amika George, founder of #FreePeriods, said: "We have been waiting for this day for a long time!

"As a grassroots, student-led movement, Free Periods has been fighting for every single child in this country to be able to go to school without worrying about their next pad or tampon. For the first time in history, this scheme will ensure that becomes a reality.

"We ask that schools have open conversations with students about what they need and start signing up to the scheme - no child must miss out. Free products in schools will ensure that every child can learn and be their very best, without periods holding them back."

For support, schools and colleges can get in touch with phs Direct by emailing periodproducts@phsdirect.co.uk or calling the helpline on 01827 255500.