On Thursday 24 October, we held our Meno-Connect ‘Lift the Conversation’ – Menopause Advocate and Champions Networking Event, in celebration of World Menopause Day which takes place annually on 18 October.
Over 130 people from 50 health, care and the voluntary sector organisations attended the event organised by the People Experience Team at NHS South Yorkshire ICB and hosted by Crowne Plaza Hotel, Sheffield.
The event was an opportunity to talk about the menopause, how we can support the health and wellbeing of our colleagues and what menopause support is available in South Yorkshire.
On the day, delegates heard from experts in the field, as well as champions and advocates from across South Yorkshire who spoke about the work they are doing to bring menopause to the centre in their organisations and with their communities.
Brigitte Kaviani, Programme Director – People Experience at NHS South Yorkshire, said: “We had a great time at the event, it was fantastic to see so many people coming together to join the conversation about menopause. It really highlights how as a system, we are prioritising the health and wellbeing of our staff who are affected by menopause.
“I want to say thank you to all of our speakers on the day, and to the stall holders who came along to speak to delegates about what support they can offer. We have now trained over 500+ menopause champions and advocates who are supporting 1000s of colleagues and the public in South Yorkshire”
Through the conference and our ongoing menopause programme, NHS South Yorkshire ICB and South Yorkshire ICS are aiming to create a menopause friendly culture, retain valuable skills and talent in our workforce, improve the health and wellbeing of our teams, reduce employee turnover and reduce menopause-related sickness absence.
Speakers at the event included:
- Brigitte Kaviani, Programme Director – People Experience at NHS South Yorkshire
- Christine Joy, Chief People Officer at NHS South Yorkshire
- Dr Marian Sloan, GP
- Sharon Booth and Julie Marsland, Sheffield Health and Social Care FT
- Charles Andrew, Sheffield Council
- Natalie Diamond, Diamond Soul Healing CIC
- Fiona Milne, Woodhouse & District Community Forum
- Charlotte Underwood, HALSA Wellbeing
Thank you to the following stallholders:
- Nether Edge Herbarium
- Weight Management and QUIT Teams
- People Experience Team
- Henpicked
- VIVUP
- HALSA Wellbeing
