In my role as a community occupational therapist in Haringey, an inner London borough, I often collaborated with other community professionals, making referrals for relevant clients requiring each other’s services.
It was during many of these joint visits that I became close to Keesha Sinclair, a local area co-ordinator working in one of the deprived areas of the borough.
We both recognised that many of our clients were experiencing menopause without adequate knowledge or support. Some were unaware of their menopausal status, leading to symptoms impacting their work and careers.
What is menopause?
Menopause is a natural ageing progression characterised by declining oestrogen levels. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the average age of menopause is around 51 years old, typically occurring after an individual has ceased menstruation for 12 or more consecutive months.
However, factors such as cancer or its treatment can cause early or late onset. Menopause encompasses around 34 symptoms (NHS 2024), with hot flushes and night sweats being the most common – experienced by 70-80% of women, according to the British Menopause Society. Other symptoms include low energy, mood swings and sleep disturbances.
Menopause was historically a taboo subject, but the situation has changed, especially after the onset of COVID-19. Regular community meetings in small groups or one-on-one sessions helped individuals open up about their experiences and learn from one another
Concurrently, I initiated research on menopause in the workplace as part of my MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice at Derby University.
An idea for the group
Keesha proposed the idea of forming a new group with professionals from the borough, supported by Haringey Council, to provide group support for individuals dealing with menopause – a proposition I gladly accepted. The initiative began in late 2018, with several members initially, but by January 2019, only Keesha and I remained after a colleague had to withdraw.
In March 2019, we began delivering a 10-hour training programme over five days onsite, receiving positive feedback from participants. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we had to cancel the remaining sessions.
Undeterred, Keesha organised an online platform to continue the training, introducing Charm Elakil, our nutrition and herbalist, to provide a holistic overview of managing menopause.
Using my occupational therapy skills, I facilitated adjustments in the workplace for individuals experiencing symptoms, fostering a supportive environment among colleagues.
In 2021, the M Word Haringey project was recognised with a ‘Highly Commended Community Organisation Newcomer of the Year’ award, marking a completely unexpected yet great achievement for our work with individuals experiencing menopause in the community.
Challenges and balance
Despite the challenges of incorporating this new addition to my role, I had to balance time management while maintaining my community responsibilities, including seeing clients and attending meetings for the community team.
Nevertheless, it was a valuable opportunity for me to showcase the role of an occupational therapist. Stepping away from the hospital and outpatient setting allowed me to share my skills and experiences in a different context.
As Keesha and I started planning and developing the groups for our clients, I realised how pivotal the role of an occupational therapist was in organising and facilitating these sessions, addressing clients’ problems, issues and goals, while providing education and facts regarding menopause.
That’s when M Word Haringey was born, introducing several other professionals who now contribute to the training, including a mentor, pharmacy, aromatherapist and acupuncturist.
On Monday 11 December 2023, Disability Action Haringey and M Word Haringey organised an event to further support our cause.
We were fortunate to have Helen Tomlinson, England’s first-ever menopause employment champion, deliver a talk to Haringey managers, organisations, teams and colleagues. Helen shared insights into the policies she has been developing to empower women experiencing menopause, facilitating their ability to stay and progress in the workplace.
Passing of a colleague and good friend
Following the death of our lovely colleague Keesha Sinclair in July 2022, we were no longer being supported under Haringey Council, and therefore Disability Action Haringey was keen to step in and support our wonderful cause.
Despite facing the tragic loss of my colleague Keesha, we continued to deliver online training, extending our efforts to individuals with autism. The feedback remained positive, reinforcing the impact of our initiative.
Our future plans include developing training groups for individuals with conditions such as sickle cell and thalassemia.
References
National Health Service (2024) Overview: Menopause. Available at www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/ [accessed 5 August 2024].
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2019) Menopause: diagnosis and management. NICE guideline [NG23]. Available at www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23 [accessed 5 August 2024].
August 2024 OTnews 35
Words
JACQUELINE DA COSTA-MYERS, Occupational Therapist, Whittington Health NHS j.dacosta@nhs.net. For more information about Disability Action Haringey visit www.d-a-h.org
Article originally published in OTnews.