Sue Houldsworth and Carole Richardson
ARE you a female, having night sweats, itching, problems with concentration and over 40 working for the Trust? Then you probably need menopause gurus Sue and Carole.
Occupational Health has been running menopause workshops for its female employees for just over a year and each time it’s booked up within minutes.
Sue Houldsworth, Interim Head of Occupational Health and Carole Richardson, Senior Counselling Therapist, are the dynamic duo who present the workshop.
Hundreds of female staff have signed up to the three-hour sessions in order to find out what the menopause is all about and to enjoy a fun-filled and informative time with employees in a similar position.
Carole said: “We make these events fun. It’s a place for ladies to interact with us and each other and find how much they have in common and that they are not the only ones who think they are going mad.”
Sue said: “We have lots of fun and laughter in our courses as well as covering symptoms and treatments that can help.
“We are always updating our information so that the attendees can be as informed as possible.
“Our feedback forms are always really positive and it’s nice to see the ladies going away feeling better about themselves.”
The workshops also give women the chance to discuss issues that they won’t talk to their partner, families or friends about.
Carole said: “There are a lot of taboo subjects linked to the menopause that we just don’t tend to discuss.
“Our courses give the ladies an opportunity to share some of their experiences which helps to normalise what they are going through. We get people laughing and crying and it’s safe to do so.”
Ladies that have been to a workshop have given some great feedback such as; ‘I realise now that I’m not bonkers – just menopausal’, ‘Felt so much better talking to other women suffering the same’ and ‘So lovely to laugh with others going through the same thing.’
The Occupational Health department has organised more of the courses for Trust staff in 2018. To book a place, call 01253 957950.
Carole added: “I love it because the women can laugh although it’s a serious subject.
“The menopause could be causing relationships to fail, be affecting work and home life, but at least ladies have a place to come to understand it all with people who are going through something similar – it’s really empowering.”