World Menopause Day is held every year on 18 October. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing. The International Menopause Society (IMS) encourages professionals and women to participate in this global awareness.
This year, our Nellsar teams are showing their support by wearing pink. Our Recreation and Well-Being Teams are setting up information stands for staff to view, encouraging them to pick up a variety of information on how to navigate and support themselves with peri and menopause symptoms.
The 2023 theme set by the IMS is cardio vascular disease – so we are incorporating heart shapes where we can; for example many of our Chefs are making heart shaped cupcakes for their teams. There are also creative heart-themed activities available for our residents to take part in.
Nellsar is working towards becoming an accredited menopause friendly organisation and this awareness day is the first step towards opening up the conversation about this stage of life and how symptoms impact people. Staff wellbeing is at the centre of World Menopause Day and at the centre of becoming a peri and menopause supportive employer.
This summer our Nellsar Menopause Steering Group put together a survey which went out to our staff teams asking questions about their knowledge of the menopause, how it affects them and how those experiencing symptoms would like to be supported in the workplace. We are reviewing the survey results this month and will be looking at how we can respond to the feedback as a company. Some examples of the feedback we expect to find include having more breathable fabric for work uniforms, sign-posting to information and support with emotional and physical symptoms like brain fog and anxiety.
Our resources have been growing week-on-week for staff to access. Including:
British Menopause Society
Rock My Menopause
International Menopause Society
Queer Menopause resources
www.happyhormonesforlife.com
Maisie Hill Perimenopause PowerÂ
The information being displayed on our stands will include:
- The IMS Glossary of Terms for peri and menopause.
- Natural Remedies for the Menopause by Anne Henderson Gynae Expert, Amara Clinic.
- HRT prescription prepayment certificate – What you need to know.
- Why Stress Management Should Be Your no 1 Priority During Menopause by Nikki Williams from Happy Hormones For Life.
- The IMS booklet on Cardiovascular Disease – What women need to know.
Also, on our information stands we’ll be providing a mailing list to receive a free Empowered Peri and Menopause eBook by Embracing Nutrition and the opportunity for staff to receive monthly recipes, information and tips all related to supporting peri and menopause symptoms from Leni, our Head of Nutrition and Wellness, to their inbox.
Nellsar’s Well-Being Team’s yoga teacher, Nina, is also doing yoga sessions with staff at Lulworth House and Loose Valley Care Homes.
This is an exciting journey for Nellsar, as we aspire to support our female-strong workforce. Over 70% of our staff are female and of peri and menopausal age. Watch this space for more updates!
