Enter keyword and hit enter

12 months of the United Welsh Menopause Group

18 Nov 2022

Business news

I wanted to create a space for people to share experiences and support around menopause, as we learn how to manage our health during our teenage years and during pregnancy, but education stops when it gets to the perimenopause and menopause years.

A photo of menopause pledge signing

Since starting last year, the group has supported over 35 women and family members with regular monthly meetings and recorded sessions. We developed a menopause guidance document and shared it across the business, along with a risk assessment to help better support staff. To help break the stigma around menopause and encourage open conversations, we asked for United Welsh’s sickness policy to include symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.

Here is what some of our group members have said.

One person said,
“The support group has empowered me to have the confidence to insist on being heard, the effects being taken seriously and medicated as opposed to just accepting and suffering. The contrast is life-changing and a joyous relief!”

Another said,
“About 3 years ago, I approached my GP about the peri-menopause, as I knew that something “wasn’t right”. The GP told me that there was no way that I could be perimenopausal as I was 41. I just accepted this because I knew no better.  Fast forward to now and I’m fully clued up on the symptoms and signs of perimenopause, and four weeks ago I decided that enough was enough, I phoned to make a GP appointment.”

As part of our application for the Menopause at Work Friendly Accreditation, this month colleagues came together to sign a United Welsh Menopause pledge. They pledged to:

  • Recognise that menopause can be an issue in the workplace and women need support
  • Talking openly, positively, and respectively about menopause
  • Actively supporting and informing your employees affected by menopause

Next, we are focusing on applying for the Menopause at Work Friendly Accreditation.

The group has achieved so much since we formed in 2021, and we look forward to continuing our work. Thank you to everyone involved and to everyone at United Welsh for supporting us.