14 May 2024 •
[14 May 2024] Local rail operator, c2c Trenitalia, is proud to announce the installation of the first complimentary period care product dispenser on the route, marking the start of a successful community project with local schools in Thurrock.
After sponsoring Thurrock Council’s Youth Inspire Hub 2023 programme of ‘Thurrock’s Next Top Boss,’ c2c committed to bring the winning project by ‘Team c2Sanitary’ from Grays Convent to life, rolling out period care product dispensers in customer and colleague toilets across the network in partnership with sustainable period care firm, Here We Flo.
The first dispenser was installed at Grays station on Friday 10 May, with help from the school team and representatives from c2c, Here We Flo and Thurrock Council attending.
Last year, the 13th Thurrock’s Next Top Boss programme set schools and colleges in Thurrock a business challenge to create a project which would help c2c increase community support and engagement.
Team ‘c2Sanitary’ were eventually crowned winners, despite facing some tough competition. As part of the initiative, c2Sanitary had already secured a potential supplier, Here We Flo. So, upon winning the competition, the two organisations and the group of young people began to work together to bring the project to life. This was achieved through holding regular planning meetings and reviews in the lead up to the new dispenser’s installation.
The school group took charge of marketing and branding decisions, designing the Here We Flo, c2Sanitary and c2c multi-branded dispensers – which will be installed across the route over the coming weeks.
Rob Mullen, Managing Director at c2c, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be part of something with such an important focus and impressive legacy. It has been a real privilege to work with the c2Sanitary team and Here We Flo to bring this project from presentation to platform, an initiative that will bring a tangible benefit to the local community. I hope team c2Sanitary are really proud of what they’ve achieved; what an amazing thing to put on your CV!”
Here We Flo’s co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Susan Allen Augustin, added: “It has been so brilliant working with c2c and the c2Sanitary team to bring their vision to life. Our mission at Here We Flo is to create a world where people feel crazy confident and empowered about their messiest moments, this is a massive step in making that a reality. We are so grateful that the c2sanitary team chose us as their partner for this project and we hope that c2c’s customers enjoy their shamelessly natural care!”
Mrs P Johnson, Headteacher of Grays Convent, said: “Thurrock’s Next Top Boss gives young people an opportunity to work with employers on real business challenges. This is a great example in practice of the outcome of such a programme. This fantastic opportunity was won by an amazing group of young women, each of whom have shown leadership and dedication, while drastically improving services for young women as a result. I am very grateful to Here We Flo and to c2c staff who have spearheaded the opportunities.”
Mark Sexton, Chair of the Thurrock’s Next Top Boss Strategy Board and Director of Thurrock Hammers Speedway Club, joined the group for the installation. He commented: “The whole event is a superb example of businesses working together collaboratively with the local community and young people. The idea that the students produced will benefit thousands of people locally, nationally and hopefully internationally. The Strategy Board would like to thank c2c for their support of Thurrock’s Next Top Boss – it is fantastic to be part of an industry-leading initiative.”
Ends
Notes to editors
About c2c
c2c is the award-winning train operator running services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, serving 26 stations in East London and South Essex. Owned by Trenitalia, c2c is one of the UK’s most punctual and popular train operators.
Italian-based Trenitalia is one of Europe’s leading rail operators and the passenger rail arm of FS Italiane Group.
For more information, please email mediaenquiries@c2crail.net
Here We Flo
Founded in 2017 by Susan Allen and Tara Chandra, Here We Flo is listed by retailers including Boots, Superdrug and Holland & Barrett, as well as CVS and Whole Foods Market in the US.
In 2022, the eco-friendly brand secured £1.7m of angel funding – from founders and executives of the likes of M&S, Method, Innocent and Unilever – for its period care and bladder care products.
That same year, the brand ran its ‘No More Period Dramas’ TV advert, a spoof of Bridgerton, having won £1m of ad spend in the inaugural Sky Zero Footprint Fund in October 2021.
Flo donates 5% of its annual profits to charities such as Bloody Good Period, which fights period poverty, LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity AKT, and The Orchid Project, which works to end female genital mutilation.
Contact: sales@hereweflo.co