October is Menopause Awareness Month and there are events being planned for South Wales Police Federation members.

The Force’s Gender Equality Network is running an event from 9.30am to 3.30pm on Monday (21 October) from the Force headquarters in Bridgend.

The network has a range of speakers who will be sharing their personal stories and their struggles, and how they are working to overcome the challenges.

They include a guest speaker from outside the Force, who will provide insight into the sensitivities and cultural struggles that are sometimes experienced by women of colour.

The Force HR team and uniform department will also contribute to the event.

Details about how to sign up have been posted on the Force intranet and internal email system.

Jo Jones, wellbeing lead for the Force’s Gender Equality Network, member of the Menopause Action Group, and a Force menopause champion, said: “It’s part of an ongoing Gender Equality Network initiative to improve inclusivity for all women going through the menopause, and will be attended by male and female line managers and senior leaders.”

The Police Federation of England and Wales is set to release the results of its national Menopause Survey on World Menopause Day on Friday.

Keep an eye on the Federation branch website and social media for reaction to the survey.

Jo Jones, wellbeing lead for the Force’s Gender Equality Network

Meanwhile, Jo has spoken of the work that she and the Gender Equality Network’s volunteers have been doing to make a difference to women in South Wales Police experiencing difficulties going through the peri menopause and menopause.

She said: “We have set up a peer support group on Teams and have more than 50 women in this group.

“The aim is to create a safe space for women to chat online and offer personal tips, advice ideas, and sometimes to just offer a kind, listening ear to someone who may be struggling and can’t speak to anyone else.”

She said from the group, smaller in-person coffee shop meets had been organised and other support groups had evolved.

“In one such recent meet some male colleagues joined in to get advice for their wives who were also struggling,” Jo said. “These informal gatherings can be very powerful and can mean so much.”

Menopause champions

Bi-monthly meetings on Teams are a chance to update on national news and local initiatives, to share personal updates, and to ask for ideas.

Jo added: “I am working on a business case to deliver training to a cohort of staff to become menopause champions in the workplace.

“The idea is support those who need it and to offer advice and guidance to line managers who may have difficulties knowing how to support their staff.”

For more information email GM-GEN@south-wales.police.uk

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