Members from University Hospital Wishaw’s menopause support group took time at their recent monthly meeting to celebrate the group’s second anniversary. In attendance were the founders of Menopause Warriors Scotland who paid a special visit to see how the group was getting on.
To celebrate the occasion, the group participated in a special Bollywood dance and enjoyed a variety of baked goods.
The menopause support group was set up in September 2022 by neonatal nurse educator Michelle Brooks following her own personal experience of premature menopause. Motivated by the limited information available at the time, Michelle formed the group to raise awareness and provide information and support to other women through sharing lived experiences and peer support.
Michelle said: “Since the group was established we have a strong core group of members. I’ve also helped facilitate the first meetings at University Hospitals Monklands and Hairmyres which, going forward, will be managed on site.
“The biggest difference I’ve seen over the last two years is in the core members. Some women were initially quiet and struggled but are now supporting other women. The peer support has grown and the experience they have gained has enabled them to feel confident in supporting other women.
Meetings of the menopause support group run in all three NHS Lanarkshire acute sites and in the community on different evenings to give staff the flexibility to access support wherever and whenever is most suitable for them.
Support available
- Menopause at Work Policy
https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/download/menopause-at-work-policy/ - The Talking Rooms – confidential counselling service
0800 138 9150
https://www.thetalkingrooms.com/self-referral/ - National Wellbeing Hub – access to advice, information and resources to support staff
0800 111 4191
24 hours a day, seven days a week
https://wellbeinghub.scot/ - Staff Care and Wellbeing – the staff care and wellbeing service seeks to build resilience and enhance wellbeing
24-hour staff care helpline (01698 752000) and self/team referrals
Home – Staff Care and Wellbeing
If you would like more information on the group, please email Michelle at michelle.brooks@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
