An employee perk that helps address period poverty in the UK is just one focus of International Women’s Day celebrations at the award-winning Childbase Partnership.

Freely available period products in each of the company’s 44-day nurseries and Head Office – over 2,500 items in 2021 alone – are matched in a ‘buy one, donate one’ partnership established in 2020 with Hey Girls, the award-winning period product social enterprise.

Reaching out to women in need, the boxes of environmentally friendly period products are distributed through women’s refuges, food banks, homeless shelters and others identified by 150 community organisations.

Flowers, treats and a focus on opportunities in the company marked setting-based celebrations in this year’s ‘Embrace Equity’ themed event which Emma Rooney, Chief Executive Officer – one of three women on the five-member main board at the employee-owned company – described as perfectly aligned with the Childbase approach.

“At Childbase Partnership we aim to give all colleagues, irrespective of gender, what they need to thrive and develop their career. Robust inductions and training plans unique to everyone, and a commitment to address practical needs and promote opportunity on an individual basis, ultimately levels ‘the playing field’ and means colleagues have the work experience and career they want, ” she said.

“A variety of forums – including the company’s Diversity Forum – enable colleagues to confidently voice their opinions and share their lived experiences. On-going reflection and action are a result of active listening ensures positive change. This is further reflected in the range of training, support and mentoring initiatives, and the courses available to meet a variety of learning styles through The Childbase Academy of Excellence,” she added.

Pictured below: Childbase Partnership main board directors (L-R): Justin Clubb, Finance, Lorna Wigley, Quality and Training, Louise Hill, Operations, Emma Rooney, Chief Executive Officer, Mike Thompson, Chairman/Founder.