As part of this October’s World Menopause Month, Arden & GEM hosted a series of bitesize webinars to raise awareness of the menopause and support those who are currently affected.
With almost one million women working in the NHS and nearly half of those between 45 and 64 years of age, menopause needs to be considered an organisational issue, with studies demonstrating that menopause symptoms can have a significant impact on attendance and performance at work. With our population now living longer, working longer, and with so many women working in the NHS, it's vital that staff are supported to stay well and thrive in the workplace.
To raise awareness of menopause in the workplace and offer support to those staff members who are currently affected – whether experiencing symptoms themselves or providing professional or personal support to those that are – Arden & GEM hosted a series of bitesize webinars on Friday 16 and Monday 19 October. With renowned experts and speakers from a wide range of organisations, including the NHS, Remploy, MenoHealth, Eulogie and Henpicked, the series offered information, understanding and signposting to resources for this important workplace issue.
If you would like to see the speaker profiles and an introduction to the webinar please click here.
A full list of each day’s sessions, along with along with links to the recordings and presentation slides, can be found below.
FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER
- 09.30-10.15 What is the menopause
Presented by Carla Smith, Wellbeing Lead at NHS Arden & GEM CSU and Dr Helen Garr, GP and Wellbeing Lead at Nottinghamshire LMC
Presentation slides - 10.30-11.15 HRT: Facts not myths
Presented by Diane Porterfield Bourne, Nurse Practitioner specialising in menopause and HRT at Bourne2Care
Recording and presentation slides - 11.30-12.15 Organisational support for leads and line managers
Presented by Louise Murray from the Health and Wellbeing Programme at NHS Employers and Jacqui McBurnie, Chair of the NHS England and NHS Improvement Menopause Group
Recording and presentation slides - 12.30-13.15 Physical activity is menopause medicine
Presented by Sue Copeland and Julie Robinson, menopause fitness experts from MenoHealth
Recording and presentation slides - 13.30-14.00 Menopause café: What it is, sharing experiences and support network
Facilitated by Jane Mitchell, Wellbeing Champion and Menopause Lead from the National Institute for Health Research
MONDAY 19 OCTOBER
- 12.30-13.15 Support and resources for colleagues via Access to Work programme
Presented by Bethanie Kimberley, National Partnership Lead at Remploy
Recording and presentation slides - 13.15-13.30 Menopause café: A male blog about menopause
(we encourage a male only audience)
Facilitated by Dr David Mathew from NHS Arden & GEM CSU’s OD Consultancy - 13.30-14.15 Financial wellbeing and the menopause
Presented by Neil Howchin, Financial Awareness and Wellbeing Presenter at Eulogie
Recording and presentation slides - 14.30-15.15 Mental health continuum and the menopause
Presented by Tammy Partridge-Smith and Kay Higgins from Mental Health First Aid at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Recording and presentation slides - 15:15-15:30 Menopause café: Menopause roadshows and midlife matters
Presented by Kim Boorman, Matron at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust - 15.30-16.30 The finale: A recap and motivational speech
Presented by Deborah Garlick, Founder and Author at Henpicked
Recording
To download a summary of the bitesize webinar programme and joining links, please click here.
During menopause, it’s important to eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients you need. These guidelines are designed to help.
If you would like more information on the webinar programme, or any of the individual sessions, please email agcsu.wellbeing@nhs.net