This is the place where we support the women in our NCA Family with their wellbeing
“As a lady of a certain age, I’d been suffering all sorts of debilitating perimenopausal symptoms which I felt were affecting both my home and work life. As a senior manager with a predominantly female workforce, I was aware that many of my staff must also be experiencing similar things. After doing some of my own research around the subject, I was shocked to read about the negative impact the menopause has on women in the workplace with a number leaving employment.
"I started to have opportunistic chats with colleagues over lunch breaks and came up with the idea of setting up a Menopause Support Group.
"The group is an informal peer get together over a cuppa and is held roughly every six weeks. Although the main aim is peer support, we’ve used the group to develop menopause support packs (desk fans, deodorant, mist spray, sanitary products etc.) which are available for colleagues to access if required. The group also requested access to cold water, so we’ve had water fountains installed in the kitchens.
"Fun and laughter is a big part of the support. We’ve spent time sharing experiences (good and bad) and have had specific sessions discussing particular symptoms, such as sleep. We’ve also purchased the Menopause Matters magazine which is available for colleagues to read at their leisure. NICE and Trust guidance is also available to access and we share any articles, information, support groups and websites that people have found helpful.
"I’m excited that the NCA have recognised Menopause support as an important area for development and feel we need to raise awareness so our colleagues can openly say if they’re having a bad day and feel supported, not judged.”
Jane Ramm (Senior Manager, Childrens Services, Salford Care Organisation)
The NCA’s Well Women Strategy Group has arranged for Henpicked, UK’s largest, fastest-growing websites to bring about positive change for women, to host seminars for both colleagues and managers from October around supporting people through menopause. Find out more here.