Irise International

What Irise International does

Irise International is a UK-registered charity (Charity Number 1157722) and Uganda-registered NGO (Number 11946) operating as a global leader in menstrual justice programming, policy, and research. Headquartered in Sheffield, UK, the organisation was founded in 2014 and runs a portfolio of interconnected programmes rather than a unified technology platform. Core offerings include the Period Confident Schools Programme (teacher training curriculum and toilet policy transformation delivered to schools across England and Wales, co-designed with University of Sheffield academic Dr. Maria Tomlinson), the UK Schools Toilet Policy Toolkit (launched nationally with phs Group, the Department for Education's Free Period Product Scheme contract holder), The Red Report (annual nationally representative survey of 2,000+ British adults on menstrual attitudes), and Period Proud Sheffield (a network of 11 period product banks). The Every Period Counts campaign (2023) and Mind the Menstrual Literacy Gap campaign drive policy advocacy and public awareness, while global work is delivered through the independently registered sister organisation Irise Institute East Africa in Uganda, which runs Period Friendly Schools in Jinja District and hosts The Period Equality Network (TPEN) of 160+ grassroots organisations.

The organisation's revenue model is purely charitable: donations from individuals, grants from foundations (Joffe, Waterloo, SENSE Foundation Brussels, Founder's Pledge), corporate partnerships, and fundraising campaigns (e.g., Sheffield Half Marathon Team Irise). All resources — toolkits, curriculum materials, research reports, and period products — are provided free of charge to beneficiaries including young people, schools (primary, secondary, SEN), marginalised communities (homeless, asylum seekers, trafficked individuals in Sheffield), and grassroots organisations in East Africa. The youth-board (Empower Period Committee) co-produces strategy, and the organisation is led by CEO Chrissy Cattle (appointed Spring 2024) with a Board of Trustees chaired by Julia Maria Angeli.

Irise has been independently recognised for impact, including the Power Together Award (2019, Global Women Political Leaders Forum), a top ranking in Founder's Pledge / Kulczyk Foundation's 2020 report on the most effective organisations ending period poverty, and formal recognition by the Ugandan Ministry of Education. Distribution leverages strategic partnerships — phs Group for national UK schools reach, Plan International for toolkits, and the Department for Education via termly roundtables — alongside grassroots organising and an extensive content library in multiple languages (English, Urdu, Arabic, French).

Name

Irise International

Legal name

Irise International

Website

https://irise.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Irise International is a UK-registered charity delivering menstrual justice programming, research, and policy advocacy to young people, schools, and marginalised communities across the UK and East Africa. It provides free curricula, toolkits, period products, and annual national research.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Menstrual Justice and Menstrual Health Advocacy (Charitable Programs)

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Social Assistance (624), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Gender Equality & Women’s Rights (BPADAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Systems Strengthening (Policy, Planning, EMIS, Governance) (BPADAKAK), Accessibility, Accommodations & Assistive Services (EDALAFAN)

Keywords

• Menstrual justice programs
• Menstrual health education
• Period poverty charity
• Youth activism advocacy
• School toilet policy

Headquarters

HQ city

Sheffield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals and supporters. Direct fundraising campaigns including Sheffield Half Marathon participation. Donate button prominently featured on website.
2. Foundation and Grant Funding: Funding from charitable foundations and institutional donors. Listed supporters include Joffe Foundation, Waterloo Foundation, SENSE Foundation Brussels, and others. Grants for specific programs and research.
3. Partnership Funding for Programs: Funding partnerships with schools, councils, and organizations to deliver Period Confident Schools Program and other menstrual justice initiatives. Actively seeking funding partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Irise International is a UK-registered charity that delivers menstrual justice programs and conducts research to support young people and communities. Its core offerings include the Period Confident Schools Programme (teacher training and curriculum delivered to schools in England and Wales), the UK Schools Toilet Policy Toolkit, the annual Red Report research study, the Every Period Counts campaign, the Period Proud Sheffield network of 11 period product banks, and free downloadable toolkits and resources. It also operates globally through sister organisation Irise Institute East Africa in Uganda, delivering the Period Friendly Schools programme and hosting The Period Equality Network (TPEN) of 160+ grassroots organisations.

Product overview

Irise International is an award-winning nonprofit organization and global leader in menstrual justice programming, policy, and research. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programmes rather than a unified software platform. Core offerings include the Period Confident Schools Programme, which provides teacher training curriculum and youth-led toilet policy transformation to schools in England and Wales; the UK Schools Toilet Policy Toolkit developed with young people and educators; and The Red Report, an annual research study tracking UK attitudes and knowledge around menstruation. The organization also runs the Every Period Counts campaign for policy advocacy, Period Proud Sheffield network of 11 period product banks, and the Mind the Menstrual Literacy Gap campaign. Global work is conducted through the sister organization Irise Institute East Africa, which operates the Period Friendly Schools programme in Uganda and hosts The Period Equality Network (TPEN) of 160+ organizations. Additional resources include the Period Peers Toolkit, 13 Moons Worksheet, Menstrual Health Evaluation Toolkit, and Faith-informed Menstrual Health Resources, all available as free downloadable materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Irise Institute East Africa: Independently registered sister organisation based in Uganda driving menstrual justice in East Africa through Period Friendly Schools programme and hosting The Period Equality Network (TPEN) of 160+ organisations.

Products and services

• Period Confident Schools Programme A comprehensive programme working with schools across England and Wales that addresses menstrual education gaps and improves access to toilets and period products, including teacher training curriculum, youth-led toilet policy transformation, and co-designed materials. Targets headteachers, PSHE/RSE leads, and safeguarding teams.
• UK Schools Toilet Policy Toolkit A first-of-its-kind toolkit developed by young people and educators to help schools create inclusive, student-centred toilet policies covering period product access, exam support, LGBTQAI+ inclusion, and vaping issues. Endorsed by leading sector organisations and distributed nationally through phs Group.
• The Red Report Annual research study tracking UK attitudes, knowledge, and action on menstruation. Survey of 2,000+ British adults published each year around Menstrual Health Day, providing national barometer data on period poverty, shame, stigma, and menstrual literacy.
• Period Proud Sheffield A community-based network of 11 period product banks across Sheffield hosted by community partners, providing free access to disposable pads, tampons, menstrual cups, and period pants, along with workshops and training for community partners. Reaches marginalised groups including homeless youth, asylum seekers, and survivors of trafficking.
• Every Period Counts Campaign A youth-led campaign co-created with 60 young people from 10 groups across the UK to hold the government accountable for ending period poverty, including the Period Parade protest in May 2023 that reached 791 million people on social media.
• Mind the Menstrual Literacy Gap A campaign addressing the stark menstrual literacy gap in the UK by promoting small actions that drive real change, supporting The Red Report findings that knowledge equals power in comfortable menstrual discussions.
• Scarlet Murmurations Report A ground-breaking global menstrual justice report commissioned by Irise and the GMC, exploring how menstrual injustice intersects with broader social justice movements and amplifying voices of grassroots activists worldwide.
• Period Friendly Schools An evidence-based whole community approach to ending period inequity in rural communities in Jinja District, Uganda, working with teachers, families, and community leaders to keep girls in school. Delivered through sister organisation Irise Institute East Africa, formally recognised by the Ugandan Ministry of Education.
• The Period Equality Network (TPEN) A grassroots movement of more than 160 organisations across East Africa hosted by Irise Institute East Africa, providing a space for sharing resources, accessing small grants and training, and supporting menstrual justice advocacy.
• Period Peers Toolkit A free downloadable toolkit designed by and for young people with Plan International to help everyone feel free and confident during their period.
• 13 Moons Worksheet A free downloadable creative worksheet developed by young people to help end period shame.
• Menstrual Health Evaluation Toolkit A free toolkit providing tried-and-tested tools to monitor and assess the impact of menstrual health programmes, including a ready-made dashboard and training video.
• Faith-Informed Menstrual Health Resources Resources created in consultation with over 100 Muslim women covering period pain, menstrual health conditions, talking to doctors, products, and diet; available in English, Urdu, Arabic, and French (North African).

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000 young people supported to overcome period inequality
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Irise Institute East Africa (IIEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependently registered organisation based in Uganda. Irise began in East Africa and continues to mobilise resources for IIEA's work and advocate together. IIEA delivers Period Friendly Schools program in Jinja District and hosts The Period Equality Network (TPEN) of 160+ organisations across East Africa.
• phs GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUK Schools Toilet Policy Toolkit launched nationally with phs Group who hold the contract for the Department for Education's Free Period Product Scheme. Partnership ensures toolkit goes directly into schools and drives period equity.
• University of SheffieldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with Dr. Maria Tomlinson researching menstrual health communication and social inequalities. Her book 'The Menstrual Movement in the Media' informs program design. Curriculum co-designed with university input.
• Plan InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped Period Peers Toolkit together with Plan International. Designed by and for young people to help everyone feel confident during their period. Endorsed Period Confident Schools programme.
• Bloody Good PeriodsupportingOthersEndorsed the UK Schools Toilet Policy Toolkit. Partnership in broader menstrual justice movement.
• Menstrual Health ProjectsupportingOthersEndorsed UK Schools Toilet Policy Toolkit. Collaboration on Faith-Informed Menstrual Health Project.
• Girl Guiding UKmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of 17 UK charities that backed the Every Period Counts campaign. Represents significant coalition building for period justice advocacy.
• CystersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampaign ally in Every Period Counts. Co-commissioned research on period product access in schools. Partnership on Faith-Informed Menstrual Health Project.
• Freedom4GirlsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampaign ally in Every Period Counts. Co-commissioned research on period product access challenges in schools.
• InKind DirectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampaign ally. Led State of Period Equity in UK report in partnership with Irise International and supported by Essity.
• DiverseCity Development TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Faith-Informed Menstrual Health Project. Collaboration to develop culturally sensitive menstrual health resources for Muslim communities.
• Days for GirlsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner through Empower Period Committee member Cynthia Pokuah who is Days for Girls UK board member. Collaboration on festival activations with The Period Vampires.
• UK Government - Department for EducationcoreOthersRoundtable discussions hosted with young people to improve guidance for Period Product Scheme in England. Government Women's Health Ambassador Lesley Regan engaged with campaign. Ongoing termly roundtables planned.
• Sheffield City CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking together to ensure youth-voice is centred in development of UK's first city-wide Period & Menopause Charter. Roundtable hosted by Lord Mayor of Sheffield.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• WaterAid: Major international NGO focused on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), with menstrual hygiene management as a core programming pillar. Broad incumbent — operates globally in overlapping geographies (East Africa, South Asia) with a wider portfolio of WASH interventions including menstrual health.
• UNICEF: Global UN agency running WASH-in-Schools programmes that include menstrual hygiene management across low-income countries. Broad incumbent — operates Period Friendly Schools-style programmes globally and is a major potential funder/partner in the same menstrual health-in-schools category.
• Girl Guiding UK: UK-wide girls' youth organisation reaching hundreds of thousands of young women with self-esteem, wellbeing, and rights programming. Broad incumbent — backed Every Period Counts campaign with Irise, and operates overlapping educational programming on puberty and wellbeing for UK girls.

Direct peers

• InKind Direct: UK nonprofit distributing in-kind product donations to frontline charities. Direct peer — campaign ally with Irise on Every Period Counts, and led the State of Period Equity in UK report in partnership with Irise and supported by Essity.
• Days for Girls: Global nonprofit advancing menstrual equity through sustainable pad distribution and education programmes across 100+ countries. Direct peer — Irise's Empower Period Committee includes a Days for Girls UK board member, and the two collaborate on festival activations and menstrual health programming.
• Bloody Good Period: UK-based menstrual justice charity distributing period products to people experiencing period poverty, including asylum seekers and refugees. Direct peer — operates in the same UK menstrual justice space, endorsed Irise's UK Schools Toilet Policy Toolkit, and serves overlapping beneficiary populations.
• Freedom4Girls: UK charity campaigning against period poverty and distributing menstrual products, with strong roots in East Africa (Kenya and Uganda). Direct peer — campaign ally with Irise on Every Period Counts, co-commissioned research on period product access in schools.
• Cysters: UK-based health and racial equity charity addressing menstrual and reproductive health in Black and ethnic minority communities. Direct peer — campaign ally in Every Period Counts, co-commissioned research on period product access in schools, and collaborated on Faith-Informed Menstrual Health Project with Irise.
• Plan International UK: Global girls' rights organisation running programmes on menstrual hygiene and gender equality in schools worldwide. Direct peer — co-developed Period Peers Toolkit with Irise, backed the Every Period Counts campaign, and operates overlapping school-based menstrual health programmes globally.

Emerging players

• The Period Movement: US-based nonprofit raising awareness and providing menstrual products to students in schools. Emerging player — operates in the same period-equity-in-schools category as Irise's Period Confident Schools Programme but focuses on the US market rather than the UK.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/irise.int
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/irise-international/?originalSubdomain=uk
• Instagraminstagram.com/irise_international
• TikToktiktok.com/@iriseinternational
• Xx.com/irise_int

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Irise International