2019: A Year in the Life of a Menopause Educator

2019 is drawing to a close, so I wanted to do a post about my highlights of the year. Educating people about menopause is so important, and it’s a subject very close to my heart.

It’s easy to get all doom and gloom about what is, let’s face it, a pretty horrendous experience for many women (and their partners). But you know what? This year I’ve joined forces with some great people to get the menopause message out there, and it’s working!

Slowly but surely, lives are being transformed, women are feeling empowered, and men are no longer feeling clueless.

I’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone I’ve met and worked with this year. We’ve achieved great things and made a difference; and long may it continue.

My highlights of 2019

• I’ve educated more than 500 people about menopause, both face to face, and online. I’ve had amazing feedback about how learning about menopause has changed lives. According to two men I worked with, my sessions saved their marriages!
• My Facebook group now has 1600 members and is growing every day. I’m so proud that it’s become an invaluable platform where women can learn about menopause, share their experiences, and support each other and have fun too.  
• I’ve been on BBC Radio Newcastle talking about menopause three times this year alone. Apparently, they keep inviting me back because I make what can be a difficult subject ‘normal and fun.’ Let me know if you tuned in…
• I’ve collaborated with some great people and organisations across the UK and Ireland that have helped me to keep banging the menopause drum!
• I’ve been nominated for an award which recognises the different ways women contribute to business and pioneer change. 
• I’ve also spoken at several prestigious events including Women of Influence and supported CIPD in the region.

Big plans for 2020

• I’ve got more speaking events planned and even more exciting collaborations; watch this space!
• I’m going to be working with lots more companies to educate their leaders and employees about the true impact of menopause. Unfortunately, despite it being such an important wellbeing subject, women are leaving organisations because of ignorance about menopause, and they will continue to do so. Organisations can’t afford to lose such valuable talent, and they will, given that they’ll have an ageing workforce who will be working through the menopause and beyond. This is a fact. Organisations; ignore the subject at your peril.

My mission

Raising awareness about the menopause among women, men, and employers is all about education and making it comfortable and acceptable for people to speak about it. Menopause is not a condition to be treated and cured, it’s a normal stage of life that every woman goes through. Helping people to realise this is my mission.

My training events are aimed at educating HR professionals, managers, and working women about the menopause in a fun, engaging, and informative way.

If you’d like to find out more, contact me at sharon@missmenopause.co.uk

You can also join my Facebook group or my Facebook and Twitter campaign #wearemenopause