Menopause Friendly status for College

Gower College Swansea has been awarded Menopause Friendly Accreditation status.

This is in recognition of the College’s ongoing work to raise awareness of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, and the suite of support it has put in place for staff.

Some examples of this include regular Menopause Cafes, opportunities for staff to meet with menopause specialists, and seminars on how to manage symptoms. Most recently, staff and students had a chance to try out a Menovest TM, which simulates the feeling of a hot flush.

The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, established by Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace, recognises high standards and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace.

The Menopause Friendly Accreditation is industry-recognised and the only accreditation that sets clear standards which must be met. As such, it is truly meaningful and considered by many as a mark of excellence for menopause in the workplace.

In order to achieve The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, employers are assessed by an independent panel and must demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness in six key areas, namely: culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities and evaluation.

“We are really delighted to have achieved this accreditation,” says the College’s Wellbeing Manager, Lorraine Evans. “For a lot of people, when they think of menopause they simply think of hot flushes and that is about it. What we’ve tried to do as an organisation is raise awareness of the other symptoms – and there are dozens of them – and to provide practical support to individuals so they can manage this transitional stage of life as best as they possibly can.”

To find out more about The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, visit www.menopausefriendly.co.uk