Latest news with #Freda
Forbes
19 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
This Founder Is On A Mission To Make Eco Period Products Standard In Hotels
Eco period care dispenser from Freda of London. Despite the hospitality industry's growing commitment to sustainability and inclusivity, one fundamental need remains routinely overlooked: access to period care products. 'It's quite striking that, despite the industry's drive to become more responsible, it often neglects one of the most basic needs of its female guests,' says Affi Parvizi-Wayne, founder of Freda, a London-based eco-conscious period care company. While amenities like mini sewing kits, cotton ear buds and shaving kits are standard in most high-end hotels, tampons and pads are typically missing. 'Some hotels claim that period products are available on request, but the reality is that very few guests feel comfortable asking for them,' Parvizi-Wayne notes. 'Most women prefer not to announce their periods at the hotel reception.' Parvizi-Wayne launched Freda in 2018, following two years of development and early-stage backing from an angel investor. The venture was initially conceived to include period products in hygiene kits for refugees. Freda has since expanded into the consumer and B2B markets, offering subscription-based period care and bespoke kits for businesses, with a small but growing footprint in the hospitality sector. 'Providing sustainable period care kits in hotel rooms is a simple, powerful way to show genuine care and inclusivity,' says Parvizi-Wayne. 'Not only does this break outdated taboos, but it also supports guest wellbeing and aligns with broader sustainability goals—especially when these products are eco-friendly.' Freda founder Affi Parvizi-Wayne of London. Freda's hospitality kits come in several formats: compact sets with a pad and tampon for guest bathrooms, larger pouches for in-room or spa offerings, and stylish dispensers or display boxes for public restrooms. All are designed to sit seamlessly alongside traditional amenities like razors, toothbrushes and, yes, those rarely-used mini sewing kits. The products themselves are rigorously sustainable: Freda tampons are made from 100% organic cotton, and the pads are composed of 70% natural materials. Free from chemicals, fragrances, and toxins, they are hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, and packaged in biodegradable or recyclable materials. Manufacturing takes place in a carbon-neutral facility in Sweden, powered entirely by renewable energy and committed to zero landfill waste. Still, sustainability presents its own challenges. During a recent heatwave, Freda's biodegradable outer packaging began to break down in transit. 'We discovered our sustainable outer packaging was decomposing before it had got to the customer,' says Parvizi-Wayne. 'For now, it's back to our recyclable but not biodegradable packs.' She's currently working with her Swedish supplier to explore season-specific packaging solutions. Parvizi-Wayne is vocal about supply chain transparency—something she argues is often lacking in mass-produced 'eco' products. 'Many so-called eco products are made in China, which makes auditing of the factory's sustainability credentials rather difficult,' charges Parvizi-Wayne. 'Our Swedish factory is very transparent about its environmental efforts. Their manufacturing process is designed for minimal environmental impact, with factories operating on 100% renewable energy and generating zero landfill waste—all production waste is either recycled or incinerated to produce heat and electricity.' Beyond commerce, Freda reinvests 5% of its profits into community initiatives focused on period equity. 'Supporting menstrual health is integral to promoting overall wellness, and this should not solely be the individual's responsibility,' says Parvizi-Wayne. 'Little touches make a big difference in guest experience and by providing period care products hotels create a more inclusive and caring environment for their guests.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rescue with Ric: Meet Freda
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)-Meet Freda, a sweet and spunky 2-year-old Chihuahua with a heart full of love (and ears that never point in the same direction)! This friendly girl gets along great with other dogs, cats, and kids, making her a perfect fit for just about any family. Freda is easy to take on the go—she rides quietly in the car and walks beautifully on a leash. She's already spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped, so she's ready to head home with her forever family! To learn more about her, feel free to give Grand Companions a call at 432-426-3724. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Furious Brit complains holiday was ruined by 'rude' Spanish people at hotel
A British holidaymaker has posted a scathing review of their Benidorm hotel, slamming the amount of "loud and rude" Spanish guests who were also staying there, and complaining that the entertainment wasn't in English After staying in an otherwise "lovely" hotel in Benidorm, a furious British tourist has taken to TripAdvisor, leaving a totally scathing review of the establishment, and criticising the number of "loud and rude" Spanish guests. The former guest at Port Fiesta Park - located in the Costa Blanca region of Alicante - clearly was not particularly happy with the experience, leaving just one star in their review. "Lovely hotel but the food was poor plates always cold. Footballers arrived every weekend we were there noisy and given priority at meal times. Entertainment all Spanish. would not recommend. Spanish guests were loud and rude. restaurant and other staff excellent." Despite branding the hotel just one star overall, when it came to reviewing various subcategories - like cleanliness, quality of sleep, value for money, and service - the holidaymaker was much more positive, giving five stars across the board. The hotel posted a polite reply to the review, explaining: "Thank you for sharing your opinion with us. We apologize if your experience was not as you expected and we take note of everything described in order to improve our service day by day. We are saddened by your story about other guests. "Our hotel, like Benidorm, is an international destination that receives people of up to 10 different nationalities every day and all are welcome. Sincerely, the Port Fiesta Park team." This tourist isn't the first Brit to publicly complain about the amount of Spanish people they encountered whilst holidaying in Spain. When pensioner Freda Jackson visited Benidorm for a fortnight's holiday back in 2017 - staying at the Poseidon Playa - she ended up in tears after dealing with what she called "rude" Spanish guests at her hotel. "The hotel was full of Spanish holidaymakers and they really got on our nerves because they were just so rude," she has said. "One evening a Spanish guy nearly knocked me flying and he just walked off without even apologising." Much like the reviewer of the Port Fiesta Park, Freda was not impressed that the entertainment provided by the hotel for guests was in Spanish, not English. "The entertainment in the hotel was all focused and catered for the Spanish - why can't the Spanish go somewhere else for their holidays?" Brits make up the second largest group to holiday in Benidorm - after Spaniards themselves - with 832,000 people from the UK heading to the hotspot in Costa Blanca in 2023. However, Spain has increasingly seen mass protests against the number of tourists visiting, despite the importance of holidaymakers to the economy. A man who lives in the area and works organising stag parties explained previously that most locals welcome tourists due to the fact that many of them work in the industry, and rely upon visitors for their income. "Are tourists welcome in Benidorm? The answer is yes, yes, yes. Has there been any signs of any types of protests in Benidorm against tourists? No, no, no. "One of the reasons I say that and I think that it's going to remain that way is because pretty much everyone that's working in Benidorm that lives in Benidorm has some connection with a tourism business or the sector of tourism. Whether that means they're working in a bar, restaurant, hotel, whether they're in some sort of services industry, no matter what type of business it is, it's going to feel some effect of tourism."
Metro
09-06-2025
- Metro
British gran complains that there are too many 'Spaniards' on Benidorm holiday
A British grandmother has said her 'dream' holiday to Benidorm was ruined by 'rude' Spanish hotel guests. Freda Jackson, from Blackburn, Lancashire, was unimpressed by her stay at the Hotel Poseidon Playa, which she said had laid on no entertainment for foreign guests. The grandmother-of-six said her trip was a 'disaster from start to finish' after the Spaniards 'really got on our nerves'. She added she was nearly sent flying after being knocked over by one holidaymaker without even an apology. Freda, who is in her eighties and has mobility issues, was suggested the hotel on the outskirts of the Spanish resort by Thomas Cook. The pair booked the trip through a package operator in 2017 and funded the break over 12 months from their pensions. Benidorm, located in the Valencian Community on the Costa Blanca, typically welcomes more than 2.7 million visitors a year to its picturesque beaches. However, Freda found her hotel primarily catered for domestic tourists rather than overseas travellers, while denying she was making derogatory comments about Spaniards. The hotel also originally allocated the pair a room on the 14th floor. After explaining their accessibility issues, they were given a room on the second floor, which was still 42 steps from the swimming pool. She told the Daily Record: 'The entertainment in the hotel was all focused and catered for the Spanish – why can't the Spanish go somewhere else for their holidays?' The retired care assistant is demanding either a refund for her 'mis-sold' getaway or a free trip after shelling out £1,133 for the two-week holiday. More Trending Thomas Cook offered Freda and her friend a £75 voucher to cover their grievances. A spokesperson for the firm also clarified that, due to a system error, the duo were not made aware of a change to their flights until six days before they were due to leave. They said: 'We are very sorry for the inconvenience this caused and are investigating to make sure it doesn't happen again. 'We have offered Ms Jackson and her travel companion a gesture of goodwill to try and put things right, which we hope she will accept.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Inside UK's new £189,000,000 revolutionary 'very light' transport system MORE: Spanish police cause uproar over photo of older women enjoying alfresco chat MORE: Sunbed Wars 2025 arrives in Benidorm after holidaymakers 'stampede' for best loungers
Irish Daily Mirror
08-06-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
'I cried on my €1,300 Benidorm holiday after rude Spanish guests ruined my stay'
With summer holiday season just around the corner, many people across Ireland are eagerly planning their trips abroad, hoping for sunshine and well-deserved break - but not all getaways go according to plan. One tourist's holiday to Benidorm turned into an emotional ordeal, ending in tears and disappointment after what she describes as a "disaster from start to finish". Freda Jackson, a pensioner from Lancashire in North West England, had booked a two-week stay at the Poseidon Playa hotel on the outskirts of the popular Spanish resort in April 2017. However, what was meant to be a relaxing getaway with a friend quickly soured. The retired care assistant later revealed the root of her misery: "Why can't the Spaniards go somewhere else for their holidays?" Freda claimed the hotel was full of "rude" Spanish guest who made her stay unpleasant, including one who "nearly knocked me flying" and left without apologising. The grandmother, who lives with mobility issues, explained: "The hotel was full of Spanish holidaymakers and they really got on our nerves because they were just so rude. One evening a Spanish guy nearly knocked me flying and he just walked off without even apologising." Entertainment options at the hotel also left Freda unimpressed. She recalled: "The entertainment in the hotel was all focused and catered for the Spanish - why can't the Spanish go somewhere else for their holidays?" Freda claimed the trip was recommended by travel operator Thomas Cook. She had requested flat ground access but was disappointed to find her room located on a slope. She and her friend, who paid a combined total of £1,133 (€1,344), demanded either a refund or a free trip as compensation. Freda continued: "I have never complained about a holiday before - but this one was a disaster from start to finish. My friend and I paid for it from our pensions and it was a struggle trying to fund it over 12 months and the holiday was totally ruined - I cried after. "We wanted to go somewhere on flat ground and not in the hills because we have mobility issues. To top it off, once we got to reception they told us we had been put on the 14th floor - thankfully we were moved to the second floor - and that it was 42 steps down to the hotel's swimming pool." Freda, who has enjoyed holidays in Greece, Turkey, Portugal and Tenerife in the past, alleged Thomas Cook "mis-sold" and "ruined" what should have been a dream trip. The pair flew from Manchester Airport to Alicante on May 10 that year, having allegedly not been notified that their flight dates had changed. She claimed that there were no holiday reps present so she had to send a formal complaint directly to Thomas Cook. Initially, the travel company offered a £75 (€89) voucher as compensation for the "disappointing" experience. A Thomas Cook spokesperson issued the following statement at the time: "Due to a system error Ms Jackson was not informed of a change to her flights until six days before departure. We are very sorry for the inconvenience this caused and are investigating to make sure it doesn't happen again. We have offered Ms Jackson and her travel companion a gesture of goodwill to try and put things right, which we hope she will accept." Freda later denied to the Mirror UK that she had made any derogatory comments about Spanish people.
