A pallet of pads, 1,000 kits and a community that got behind it.

A closer look at what’s inside our Period Information Kits, including the booklet created by our team and a range of period products generously donated by Chemist Warehouse.

What started as a simple idea to make period information more accessible quickly grew into a community effort involving Chemist Warehouse, Christchurch Airport Community Fund and more than a few very full boxes.

We wanted to create something practical that could make periods a little less unfamiliar for young people. What happened next was far bigger than we expected.

Sometimes a good idea starts small.

We wanted to create something that would help young people feel a little more prepared when it comes to periods, not just by providing products, but by giving them clear, straightforward information about what to expect.

So we designed a Period Information Kit.

The booklet was created and designed in-house, covering the basics of periods, what to expect and some of the questions young people may not always feel comfortable asking. Each kit also includes samples of tampons, pads and liners, giving young people the opportunity to try different products and work out what works for them.

Then we needed to fill the bags.

We reached out to Chemist Warehouse to ask if they might be able to help with some product samples. They didn't just help. They sent us a pallet of pads.

Yes, an actual pallet.

And the support didn't stop there. Chemist Warehouse got their Christchurch stores involved, with teams across the city donating a wide range of period and personal hygiene products. That generosity meant the project grew beyond the original kits.

Some of the additional products have gone into our pantry, where our team can quietly provide hygiene essentials to rangatahi when they need an extra hand. We've also been able to put some items aside to use as Christmas gifts for young people later in the year.

We then had another piece of the puzzle to solve: how do we put everything together? Thanks to funding from Christchurch Airport, we were able to have personalised bags printed for the kits.

Then the packing began.

Our team came together to get everything sorted and, when we needed an extra pair of hands, one staff member's son stepped in and packed more than 500 bags for us. In total, 1,000 Period Information Kits were put together.

They've now gone out through our clinical clinics and school-based health clinics, giving young people access to information and products in places where they already feel comfortable asking for support. Kits have also made their way to the Linwood Kias girls league team.

It's a simple thing, but we know simple things can make a difference.

Having access to period products shouldn't be something a young person has to worry about. Neither should feeling embarrassed because they don't know what's normal, what product to use, or what to expect.

And this is something we'd like to keep building. The hope is that these kits can grow into something broader over time, responding to other areas of need and finding practical ways to give young people the information and essentials they need, without making a big deal of asking for help.

For now, we're incredibly grateful to everyone who helped get these 1,000 bags into the hands of young people.

A good idea became a thousand kits because a community got behind it.