Menopause Advocates Set to Remove Stigma of ‘change of life’

Two members of staff, Catherine Heatley, Training Consultant and Kim Godsman, Programme Development Manager, both from the  Business Services team,  have recently trained as Menopause Advocates for SERC.  

In conjunction with the Mind Yourself Campaign, both women, will provide colleagues and managers with confidential support and guidance on perimenopause and menopause symptoms. They will also raise awareness through articles, discussions, workshops, and resources.  

Outlining what their own working and personal experience can bring to the roles:  

Kim said, “I applied for the role as I am passionate about expanding my knowledge and supporting women's health. I originally trained and worked as a nurse and midwife, before transitioning into NHS commissioning. Part of my work in this role was responsibility for commissioning various services for women, including maternity care, assisted conception, and teenage pregnancy services.   

“After I left the NHS, I founded a social enterprise focused on helping women who were feeling lonely and isolated to improve their health through exercise and networking.  

“Since starting my current role in SERC, I have experienced menopause and struggled significantly with very severe anxiety for 18 months. I am pleased to say I have now overcome that stage in my life and am feeling great again and I am eager to assist anyone - or their partner - living with or experiencing perimenopause or menopause.   This life stage affects not just the woman but also their loved ones. I want to reassure every woman (and their partner) that menopause is a transitional period. Women who are struggling will get through this and will feel great again - there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Catherine said,  “I feel very privileged to have been appointed as the Menopause Advocate in SERC. I believe it’s crucial to break the stigma and remove the barriers surrounding menopause in the workplace. Supporting women through this significant stage in life is something I am truly passionate about."

She added, “Now, more than ever, women deserve understanding, compassion, and practical support as they navigate the challenges of peri menopause, menopause and post menopause. Through this role, I hope to raise awareness, influence positive change, and ensure that all women feel seen and valued. Catherine concluded, “As Menopause Advocates for SERC, we want to open conversations and create a more inclusive environment, and ultimately, we want our female employees to thrive, both personally and professionally.”  

The Menopause Advocates are there to listen and provide support, and they are happy to offer any assistance that may add value and can be contacted via MS teams for a confidential discussion.   In their roles, both Kim and Catherine wish to foster a culture of empathy and inclusivity around menopause in the workplace through a variety of staff-led initiatives, which will include both online and face-to-face group discussions.   If you have any areas of interest, topics or ideas, please email your suggestions to mindyourself@serc.ac.uk