Breaking Menopause Stigma: Cornwall’s Workplace Pilot

Kelvin Leighton-Julian is a Senior Coordinator in the Brook Cornwall team. In this blog he outlines the work that goes into Brook’s Cornwall Menopause in the Workplace Pilot and shares some of the successes so far. 

Despite its impact on half the population, discussions around menopause are often limited, perpetuating myths and misunderstandings.

With an increasing number of women going through menopause while in the workforce, it’s important for businesses and organisations to have systems in place that offer support, understanding and a comfortable, menopause-friendly working environment. 

One survey about menopause found that over 90% of respondents felt that their menopausal or perimenopausal symptoms were having a negative impact on their work. At the same time, over three quarters of women reported that their workplaces offered no information or support regarding the menopause. 

That’s why we are delighted to have secured funding from the Department of Health and Social Care Women’s Health and Wellbeing Fund to fight stigma and improve the lives of Cornwall residents experiencing menopause in the workplace. Commissioned until March 2025, the Cornwall Menopause in the Workplace Pilot is the first of its kind for Brook and aims to revolutionise workplace understanding and support surrounding menopause. 

The project’s overarching goal is to enhance knowledge and empower individuals navigating menopause in their workplace settings.

Key objectives include supporting menopausal individuals to remain in the workforce, destigmatising menopause and educating managers on support strategies, and fostering open, supportive workplace cultures. 
 
As part of the project, Brook offers free training sessions for local businesses, covering essential topics such as menopause awareness and supporting colleagues experiencing menopausal symptoms. These initiatives aim to equip leaders and managers with the knowledge and tools necessary to create inclusive and supportive work environments. 
 
We’ve seen great success with the trainings so far. We’ve worked with 38 small to medium enterprises (SMEs), delivering in-house training to the general workforce and leaders/managers. We have trained 141 professionals with more training sessions booked. We have also trained 11 Menopause Health Champions from a selection of organisations across Cornwall to continue menopause advocacy. 

Participants express newfound confidence in navigating menopause, both personally and professionally. From initiating workplace support groups to advocating for menopause-friendly policies, the impact of the training sessions shows the need for more programmes like this in Cornwall and beyond. 
 
Another part of the project is the Menopause My Life Programme, supporting women and individuals experiencing menopause. This six-session programme led by one of our trained Women’s Health Specialists focuses on understanding the physiological and psychological impacts of menopause, as well as strategies for self-management and accessing support networks. By the end of the programme, participants gain a comprehensive understanding of menopause and practical tools to navigate its challenges. 

With 73 referrals received within the first month, there’s a clear demand for support.

Brook Cornwall has successfully completed several My Life programmes and we’ve received some fantastic feedback from participants, with 91% saying they’d recommend the sessions to a friend. 

It’s essential that the training and support we provide is inclusive and accessible for everyone who has or will experience menopause. That’s why we’ve set up Menopause Participation Groups, collaborating with a range of community organisations including Cornwall Pride, Black Voices, transgender community groups and groups for neurodivergent people. This allows them an opportunity to feed into the Menopause Project, making sure that the service is accessible for all. 

Our communications team has developed a digital toolkit for SMEs across Cornwall to help improve conditions for people experiencing menopause in the workplace. The toolkit contains useful documents, social media posts, posters and guides for managers and leaders. We also run social media campaigns which highlight some of the issues faced by women and other people who are experiencing menopause in the workplace.    

We’re really proud of the impact of the pilot so far.

The feedback from training and one-to-one sessions shows how vital this support is.

Tackling stigma and providing education around menopause will not only make a huge difference to employee wellbeing and satisfaction, but will also improve productivity, reduce the number of absences and sick days, and retain talented employees who, without this support, may feel they have little choice but to leave work.