Listening first. Building on what already works. Creating meaningful change.

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This Appreciative Inquiry explores menstrual wellbeing for children and young people with additional needs in special school settings across Rhondda Cynon Taff.

Menstrual wellbeing is closely linked to health, confidence, dignity and participation in education - yet pupils with additional needs are frequently overlooked. This work centres their voices and lived experience,  supporting schools and families to co-create solutions that genuinely work in context.

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Why this matters

Children and young people with additional needs face clear inequalities in menstrual support:

 

• Gaps in menstrual education and tailored support

• Ongoing stigma affecting confidence, wellbeing and attendance

• Inconsistent, inaccessible provision

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Menstrual wellbeing is not a “nice to have” — it is a matter of equity, dignity and inclusion.

     

Research highlights the impact of stigma and the persistent gaps in menstrual education and support for people with learning  disabilities (McCarthy, 2021);(WHO / UNICEF, 2024);(Frontiers in Global Women’s Health, 2022)

This inquiry also supports children’s rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Articles 2, 3, 12, 23 and 24) and aligns with the Welsh Government’s Period Proud Wales Plan (2023).

 

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What we aim to achieve

Through this inquiry, we aim to:

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• Improve menstrual wellbeing for pupils with additional needs

• Increase access to period products and reduce period poverty

• Reduce shame and stigma around periods

• Co-create practical, context-specific solutions with pupils, families and schools

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Our approach: Appreciative Inquiry

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We start with what’s already working and build from there.

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This strengths-based approach follows five simple stages:

The inquiry follows five key stages:

1. Define – What needs improving?
2. Discover – What is already working well?
3. Dream – What could great support look like?
4. Design – What needs to happen next?
5. Deliver – Turning ideas into actions?​

 

This approach is particularly well-suited to special school settings, where trust, relationships and lived experience matter.

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Who is involved

The inquiry will involve meaningful consultation with:

 

• Pupils in special schools

• Families and carers

• School staff and leadership teams

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Their voices directly shape the outcomes.

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What this will lead to

Findings from the inquiry will inform practical, inclusive support such as:

 

• Accessible menstrual wellbeing resources

• Workshops for staff and families

• Individual menstrual wellbeing plans, where appropriate

All outputs are grounded in dignity, inclusion and lived experience

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About Womb Wisdom

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Womb Wisdom is led by Hannah Brown, a certified Menstrual Cycle Coach & Educator and qualified Social Worker with over 20 years’ experience supporting children, young people and families.

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This work draws on extensive experience in:

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• Delivering menstrual education (Years 5–11)

• Creating accessible resources for children with additional needs

• Training and supervision for professionals

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Get in touch

If you’d like to learn more about this inquiry, partner on future work, or explore how this approach could support your setting - get in touch: Hannah.wombwisdom@gmail.com


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