Tour to offer free support to women for Menopause Awareness Month
SUPPORT: Launching the ‘hot seat’ tour at St Stephen’s armed with their Menopaus’ull mugs are, from left, Sarah Weichardt, Katie Winter and Ava Wadsworth
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
Residents of Hull and East Yorkshire are being invited to take their place on a travelling ‘hot seat’ and join in with conversations across the region aimed at helping women, their families and friends face up to the menopause.
The Menopaus’ull Support Network – a project of Neighbourhood Network – has embarked on a tour of Hull and the East Riding, which sees a vibrant pink sofa take centre stage at locations including shopping centres, the University of Hull and Castle Hill Hospital as a symbol of support.
Styled as a cosy living room, the ‘hot seat’ provides a welcoming space for open and supportive conversations about menopause, helping to bring an important topic into the heart of local neighbourhoods.
The tour will connect with nationwide activities as part of Menopause Awareness Month and will also include a team meeting with TV presenter and menopause campaigner Davina McCall.
Locally, the centrepiece of the campaign will be a Menopause Hull 2025 event at Princes Quay on Saturday, October 18.
The event will run from 10.30am until 2.30pm and is free of charge with no booking required. The packed programme will feature expert speakers, interactive demonstrations and exhibition stalls all designed to support, inform and empower everyone on their menopause journey.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING: The Menopaus’ull Support Network has launched its tour
Emma Hardy, the Hull West and Haltemprice MP who is co-hosting the event with Menopaus’ull, said: “This will be the fourth annual Menopause Hull event and I am delighted to see that it is becoming established as something which benefits not only women experiencing menopause but also partners, family members, friends and healthcare professionals.
“It features an array of health and wellbeing services, expert talks and interactive sessions all of which add up to a huge opportunity for women who are going through perimenopause and menopause to find out more about the places and people they can turn to, with the sofa a symbol of the friendly, welcoming environment.
“We are making progress but every year so many people get in touch to say they joined support groups or accessed treatments as a result of things they learned at Menopause Hull. This is why it is so important that we continue the event.”
The ‘hot seat’ tour kicked off on Friday, October 3 at St Stephen’s Shopping Centre and will visited Princes Quay on Tuesday, October 7. It will visit the University of Hull on Friday, October 24 and the Queens Centre, Castle Hill Hospital, on Monday, October 27.
The month-long campaign is geared to bring people together through a range of inspiring activities, including Menopause Cafés and thought-provoking talks and presentations. Workplaces, healthcare settings and community spaces will be used to highlight the support available and make it clear that no one has to face menopause alone.
Lucy Carew and Sarah Weichardt, joint chief officers at Neighbourhood Network, said the programme designed to raise awareness, spark conversations and provide vital support for women across the region.
IMPORTANT EVENT: October is Menopause Awareness Month
Lucy said: “This year’s programme for Menopause Awareness Month is bolder and braver than ever before. We’re looking forward to connecting with women across the county, especially those who may never have had the chance to talk openly about their menopause journey.”
Sarah added: “Menopause isn’t something that only happens in October - we live with it every day. But Menopause Awareness Month gives us a louder platform to challenge stigma, share experiences and remind women that support is out there. This year’s line-up is our biggest yet, and we can’t wait to welcome people to our events.”
After Menopause Hull 2025, the Menopaus’ull team will join others in York on Wednesday, October 22 to meet Davina McCall and will then resume the activities with the travelling hot seat. The month will conclude on Monday, October 27 at the Home Farm family pub and restaurant, Hessle, for a Menopaus’ull Café on Tuesday, October 28.
Katie Winter, Menopaus’ull project lead, said: “Menopause effects every woman, yet it's still so often surrounded by stigma, overlooked and lacking in awareness. Our aim is to create understanding, support and community - not just during Menopause Awareness Month, so that every woman feels empowered, informed and connected through their menopause journey.”
For details on Menopause Awareness Month activities, visit www.mnetwork.org.uk , sign up to the newsletter at support@mnetwork.org.uk , or call 01482 826061.