World Menopause Day is held each year on 18 October to raise awareness, break the stigma and highlight the support available for improving health and wellbeing for those experiencing menopause.
The Hornets, together with our Community, Sports & Education Trust, held our annual ‘Make Menopause Matter’ event at the club’s Vicarage Road Stadium last week. The event, now into its third year, was a huge success and once again saw a panel of experts discuss all aspects of the Menopause and the impact this has on individuals, relationships, work and home life.
The panel gave powerful accounts of their own personal experiences of the menopause with warmth and humour where appropriate, shared their knowledge of the subject and also discussed how families and friends can play a key role in providing support at home.
The panel also talked about how nutrition and exercise can help those going through the Menopause to manage their symptoms and wellbeing, before answering questions from an audience of participants from across the local community.
The event was hosted by Farzana Chaudry from BBC 3 Counties Radio, a regular at Vicarage Road, and included:
Diane Danzebrink – Founder Director of Menopause Support
Clare Searle – Local GP with expertise in the Menopause
Sara Eker – Menopause Nutrition & Mindset Coach
Charmaine Bloxham-Thomas – Wellbeing Coach, Watford FC Community, Sports & Education Trust
‘It was a pleasure to be back at Watford FC to take part in the third Make Menopause Matter event’ said Diane Danzebrink. ‘Opportunities like this are so important to be able to engage with local communities, share good quality menopause information and resources, and to help everyone feel better prepared to make informed decisions about their own menopause transition, or to support others.’
The club also continues to support Watford Council’s efforts in the process of becoming a Menopause-friendly town. Copies of the ‘Understanding Menopause’ booklet are available to women in Watford from schools, GP surgeries and community centres and the club also holds a supply of the booklets. If you would like to order a copy, please email your name and address to wecampaign@watfordfc.com with ‘Understanding Menopause booklet’ in the subject line.
‘We’d like to publicly thank the panel for their candour, passion and knowledge as part of their brilliant contributions to the success of the evening’ said Dave Messenger, the club’s EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) lead. ‘We’re pleased to support our town and community by hosting this event, which has become an important part of our calendar, and we look forward to repeating this next year.’
Menopause Support is a not-for-profit community interest company and the home of the national #MakeMenopauseMatter campaign, both founded by panel member Diane Danzebrink. The four clear aims of the campaign are;
- Mandatory menopause training for all GPs and medical students.
- Menopause awareness and support in every workplace.
- Menopause to be included in the RSE curriculum in schools.
- A national government funded public health campaign for menopause.
Over 200,000 people have already signed the campaign’s petition. To add your name, please click HERE
If you have any concerns or would like advice about the Menopause, please click HERE
