MONMOUTHSHIRE-BASED not-for-profit group iNEED has joined forces with Monmouth Constitu­ency Labour Party’s women’s forum on a project to provide ‘dignity bags’ for women, which launched in Monmouth on International Women’s Day (IWD) on Wednesday, March 8.

The project’s founder, Chepstow town councillor Hilary Beach, said: “Most women menstruate for at least half of their lives.  Coping with menstruation can be a costly business and involves a number of items if a woman is to retain her dignity and privacy.  This project aims to collect items to fill a dignity bag for women who, for whatever reason, have difficulty obtaining the necessary items.

“We will be collecting sanitary towels, wipes, tissues, knickers, disposal bags, roller deodorants, chocolate bars and paracetamol.

“These items will be sorted into the dignity bags, labelled with the contents ready for distribution to women via existing networks such as iNeed, food banks or homeless charities.

“Look out for our donation boxes at collection points such as pharmacies and supermarkets.”

Natasha Cadman, from iNEED, added: “We’re very pleased to be joining forces on a much-needed initiative for women.

“We act as a collecting and sorting point for aid for refugees from many different groups across the south west of England and south east Wales.

“We process donations in Caldicot to go to refugee camps on the Syrian border.

“We know how much these dignity bags will improve the quality of life for refugee women and those in need of support in the UK.

“While the situation in Syria is still so dangerous and so many people are still displaced, iNEED will continue to collect other aid and donations and is grateful for the continuing support of local people.

To help, please call 07810 837462, find us on Facebook at iNEED.

Monmouth or visit www.refugeesineed.org.uk