Inaugural Highland Menopause Café set to take place on Thursday, 4 August

Menopause Cafe logo

A Menopause Café, aimed at breaking down the taboo around menopause, increasing awareness of the impact of the menopause on those experiencing it, their family, friends and their colleagues, and reflecting on the ‘third stage of life’, will be held by The Highland Council on 4 August 2022.   

Open to Council staff and Elected Members of all genders and all ages, Menopause Café will be held virtually between 12.30 and 13.30 on Thursday, 4 August via Microsoft Teams.      

Following the World’s first Menopause Café, held in Perth, Scotland in 2017, many pop-up Menopause Cafés have been organised worldwide, including in workplaces.  The world’s first Menopause Festival, #FlushFest, was also held in Perth in 2018.  

Rachel Weiss, founder of the Menopause Café Charity, commented, “The Menopause Café is aimed at women and men of all ages who would like to talk about the menopause, to share their stories, experiences and questions, all made that little bit easier with tea and cake.” 

“Unfortunately, many people feel that they should just ‘get on with’ the menopause, with some never talking to their friends of family about it. People can come along and just listen, or join in on the discussions, hopefully leaving with a clearer sense of the impact of the menopause on those who are experiencing it, alongside their families, friends and colleagues.” 

Highland Council’s Chief Executive, Donna Manson, said:  “Highland Council has for some years now recognised the impact that menopause can have on its employees since introducing menopause in the workplace presentations and guidance in 2019 to help raise awareness among staff.  We are delighted that the Menopause Café Charity is taking up the challenge of educating and informing people (women and men) on the effects that menopause can have on people’s working lives and what can be done to support them.  It’s important that this message is for everyone so that a better understanding in the workplace is achieved.” 

Councillor David Fraser, Chair of Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee, remarked:  “It is good to see menopause being discussed more openly within the Council. Menopause can impact on all our lives.  The health and wellbeing of staff and elected members is central to the organisation.

Kirsty Wark, patron of the Menopause Café Charity, said:  “I am delighted to have been asked to be a patron of this new charity which is dedicated to get everyone talking about the menopause. This is the way to a healthier, happier future”.

For more information, please visit  http://www.menopausecafe.net/ 

Highland Council staff and Elected Members are invited to register their interest in attending this virtual event by contacting:  healthsafety.andwellbeing@highland.gov.uk

ENDS

27 Jul 2022