How an Enfield social enterprise is helping women access period products

*The Anthro Vision team delivering their wellbeing packs around Enfield*

A local project has been launched to help people facing period poverty.

Anthro Vision, a local community interest company (CIC), is helping young people access wellbeing care packages when they need them most. The organisation’s ‘People with Periods’ (PWP) initiative provides free essential items to those who are experiencing period poverty or are from a low-income household within Enfield borough.

Care packages are designed to help by stimulating each one of the senses to ensure all recipients experience a positive period. Packs include, for example, sanitary towels, facial products, chocolates and biscuits.

Anthro Vision – meaning ‘human vision’ – was founded by local resident Lea Gibson in the midst of Covid-19 lockdown to create a space where people can “be their true selves and grow in an environment that allows them to flourish”.

The small but passionate and experienced team aim to help others achieve within society. Lea said: “During lockdown, it became apparent to me that there was a need for support in our local community. Young people were reaching out to me around period and hygiene poverty and I couldn’t stand by and watch.

“It was also evident that there needed to be something available that was inclusive, so Anthro Vision was born. We aim to tackle period poverty, one wellbeing care pack at a time.

“We are the only organisation within the borough that supports trans men, women and non-binary individuals with our care packages. We want to change the narrative and educate society on what it means to have a period.”

Rebecca Bird, retail manager at Edmonton Green Shopping Centre, which is supporting the project, said: “When I first met Lea, I could see the passion she had for the community and how much she

wanted to make a difference to young people today. We are really proud to support their efforts within the community and have made a donation ourselves.”

Anthro Vision is also running workshops across a wide range of areas including mindfulness, expressive arts, creative writing and sexual health awareness. In addition, there is a mentoring programme which pairs a young person with an older person, helping them to build confidence.

Lea added: “Young people are our future leaders and game changers, so if we don’t give them an environment to thrive in, we are setting them up for failure. We aim to empower and uplift young people to become their best selves.

“It is very easy to feel alone in this world and that is something we seek to change.”

For more information about Anthro Vision:
Visit anthrovision.co.uk

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