Looking after our staff means taking a holistic view of their wellbeing and making sure we have the right support in place – and that includes when it comes to menopause, a hot topic this year and one that has made it all the way to the steps of Parliament.

At our Trust, we’ve also been taking steps for our workforce that’s two-thirds women. And most importantly, we’ve opened up the conversation.

It’s an area of wellbeing our Deputy Director of Communications Hazel Melnick is passionate about…

P is for present…and for podcast – so in the spirit of giving at this time of year, here’s my first!

I had great fun on the virtual sofa with fellow menopausee and colleague Claire Hogg who oversees planned care across north east London. A massive thanks to Claire for being my guinea pig and for sharing her story.

As you’ll hear, symptoms aren’t always extreme when it comes to this twilight era in a woman’s life…sometimes it can be just be about feeling ‘blah’ (and if you’re really blessed, alongside a few other bits thrown in for good measure – no sleep, no body thermostat, no confidence…etc etc etc)

And yet we seem to think it’s ok to struggle on…well no more!

Claire and I will hopefully inform and entertain you and most importantly, demonstrate that everything you’re experiencing is not only completely normal as we approach menopause, you also don’t have to keep suffering in silence.

So what are you waiting for? Whether you listen over a cup of tea, while cooking the dinner, or when you’re at the gym, give yourself a Christmas present this year – the decision to stop struggling and bring back that fabulous person you thought had gone forever.

If you’d like to join me on the sofa or have a topic you’d like to hear more about, then email me or tweet me.