Period Poverty Charities looking for Sewing Volunteers
If you’d like to use your sewing skills to help fight period poverty, here’s a list of charities and programs that involve volunteers in making reusable sanitary pads, menstrual kits, or hygiene/dignity kits.
I recently interviewed Niki Pryde who volunteers for the Tumaini Fund(Scotland)/Sewing For Hope on my Scrap Chat Podcast. The link to the Tumaini Fund is below along with many other charities working towards similar ends that may be looking for volunteer sewers.
If you are interested in learning more about the Scottish Free Period Products Legislation introduced in 2021 that we discussed on the podcast you can also find that information here.
Quick note: Volunteer needs and shipping rules can change. Always check the linked page for the most up-to-date instructions, approved materials, and where they can currently accept items from.
Having a charity on this list does not endorse their activities and the charities on this list are not formally associated in anyway with this website. This is an informational resource only. If you know of any charities who are not on this list who should be (or ones that have ceased operating who should not be on the list any more please let me know by email at [email protected])
Global/International
Days for Girls (Global) — Volunteer network making reusable menstrual kits.
Website: https://www.daysforgirls.org/get-involved/
United Kingdom
Freedom4Girls — Sewing groups for reusable pad kits
Website: https://www.freedom4girls.co.uk/what-we-do/sewing-groups/
Sewing For Hope – Associated with The Tumaini Fund(Scotland) – Providing hygiene kits for girls in Tanzania.
Website: https://tumainiscotland.org.uk; Sewing For Hope: https://tumainiscotland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Sewing-For-Hope-Final.pdf
The Pachamama Project — Sew reusable period pads (volunteer opportunities)
United States
Sew Powerful — Sew/assemble purses + hygiene supplies program
Website: https://www.sewpowerful.org/pages/sew-powerful-purse-program-overview
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) — Dignity Kits (kit-making)
Website: https://mcc.org/get-involved/kits/dignity
Cloth Connection Outreach — Menstrual kit focus (see org info + ways to help)
Website: https://clothconnectionoutreach.org/
God’s Child Project — Sanitary Pad Project (washable reusable pads)
Website: https://godschild.org/sanitary-pad-project/
Sylvia’s Sisters — Reusable pads sewing help (project post)
Website: https://sylviassisters.org/blog/2024/05/29/we-need-your-help-reusable-pads-for-central-american-communities/
Canada
Days for Girls Canada — Volunteer teams
Website: https://www.daysforgirls.org/canada/
Help A Girl Out (Canada) — Reusables (includes learn-to-sew reusable pads)
Website: https://helpagirlout.org/reusables/
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) — Dignity Kits (kit-making)
Website: https://mcc.org/get-involved/kits/dignity
Australia
Days for Girls Australia — Volunteer teams
Website: https://www.daysforgirls.org/australia/
Global Aid Network Australia (GAiN) — LuoPads Project (handmade washable pads)
Website: https://globalaid.net.au/luopads-project/
Tips for Volunteers
- Decide your style: sew-at-home (mail-in) vs. in-person sewing days.
- Follow the exact pattern/material list from the charity (this matters for safety and usability).
- Check shipping guidance before you start (some orgs only accept items from certain countries).
- Consider hosting a sew-along: many programs work well for guilds, groups, or community sewing days.
- Looking for more charity sewing opportunities? Try this post with loads of other charities with other sewing and quilting projects they need help with.
