Motherwell Cheshire CIO has joined forces with local organisations to increase the Menopause Cafés available across Cheshire.
Over the last month, Motherwell Cheshire, a local charity whose vision is that women and girls are able to meet the challenges in their lived and access support, education and advocacy whenever they need it, in order to fulfil their potential, has launched a number of new Menopause Cafés in partnership with Everybody Leisure, Brio Leisure, Health Box and Body Positive.
At the Menopause Cafés, which are now available in Ellesmere Port, Holmes Chapel, Macclesfield, Chester, Crewe, Winsford and Northwich, people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss menopause. There is no pre-set agenda, and the topics for discussion are chosen by the participants on the day.
Kate Blakemore, CEO of Motherwell Cheshire says of the partnerships: “Our aim is to facilitate as many people as possible talking about the Menopause. There’s a lot of people who don’t realise why they feel the way they feel. It’s trying to make women aware and help them provide a support network. I would like to thank our partner organisations who are helping to bring these relaxed Menopause Cafés to the heart of our local communities and to our local GPs in Cheshire who are showing their support in helping us shape the groups.
“We encourage everyone to come along and join the conversation.”
Debbie Sharred, Wellbeing Co-ordinator at Motherwell Cheshire added: “Menopause Cafés are an opportunity for people to come together to discuss anything from sleeping, sex and their partners to exercise, brain fog and improving diets. People can talk about whatever they want. For you to hear someone say, “I felt like that”, means they don’t feel like they are on their own.
“It is important to stress that the groups also extend a hand to men wanting to know how to deal with their partner’s symptoms and to support them through their “adventure”.
As well as the Cafés, Motherwell Cheshire have also introduced their Menopause Party. The first of these parties was recently held at Tom Taps in Crewe and following its huge success, these will now be held 4 times a year.
Full details of the Menopause Cafes can be found at https://motherwellcheshirecio.com/wellbeing-programme/ or join our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/cheshiremenopausecafes/?ref=share
