Menopause can feel like an awkward and embarrassing conversation at all levels in your organisation. This is true of the employee needing to ask for some adjustments through to the senior leader guiding the culture.
At Making Menopause Work, we are changing this by delivering menopause training that shows everyone that menopause is something that happens to over 50% of the population.
We believe menopause training is important for everyone.
I love what I do, and I know I make a difference to how menopause is accepted in the workplace.
I know what it is like to feel scared, to not want to speak up because people won’t get it, or even worse, think I can’t do my job anymore, especially as I worked so hard to get there.
After 30 years in policing, my personal experience led me to become the West Midlands Association for Women in Policing’s menopause lead. As a result, I understand the practical and wider organisational challenges that menopause can bring in the workplace.
For the past 7 years, I have worked exclusively in the world of menopause as co-founder and director of Talking Menopause, bringing menopause into the workplace at hundreds of companies. I feel I have been in it from the beginning.
So now today with Making Menopause Work, I continue to work with organisations to encourage conversations about menopause in the workplace.
I believe that menopause is just a conversation, but I also know that people do find it hard and awkward to talk about menopause at work.
I want to change that; I want to normalise menopause in the workplace.
I won’t do that with shiny badges or workplace accreditation. I will do it with a down to earth practical approach that doesn’t exceptionalise menopause and make it something it isn’t.
Menopause is a natural life experience for most people. We can’t avoid it, we can’t predict exactly what it is going to be like, when it’s going to happen, but acceptance that it will happen is important for everyone.
Equally, we can’t leave our menopausal selves at home when we go to work. It doesn’t feel an unreasonable ask then, that the people we work with have a level of understanding about menopause, especially our line managers, who are that first point of contact for help and support.
So, when we have a brain fog moment, which means we’ve forgotten a name, or a process, that doesn’t mean we can’t do our jobs. It means that maybe we need to step away and have a few moments to gather our thoughts. Imagine how supportive it would feel if our managers and colleagues knew that, and even better, knew what that support looked like.
My objective with Making Menopause Work, is to not be here in 10 years’ time, because menopause has become a normal everyday accepted conversation in every workplace.
Director & Founder
For over a decade, Lynda has passionately advocated for menopause training and awareness, starting with West Midlands Police and continuing with her first venture, Talking Menopause, before setting up Making Menopause Work.
In previous roles Lynda has led change programmes in the workplace and has experienced the cultural and leadership challenges these can bring. She always seeks to make a positive difference and maintain the highest level of service to her clients. She values consistency, reliability, and brings experience, passion and energy to menopause, always looking to drive the conversation forward.
With a postmenopausal zest for life, Lynda is dedicated to helping workplaces foster open, confident conversations about menopause.
Business Manager
Kelly has been with MMW from the start, providing business support and guidance.
Kelly has a background in Project Management working for large multi-national companies, as well as SME’s. She has a passion for organisation and planning and enjoys using her skills to support others.
Through her own experiences of menopause Kelly has found a passion for increasing menopause training, awareness and support.
In 2021, after taking a career break to support her family, Kelly set up her own business, Millside Virtual Assistant supporting businesses with their admin, event and project management.
Menopause Champion Lead
Tracey has gained a wealth of experience and expertise working in management roles during the last 30 years in the public sector. Latterly in prison and probation services. Tracey is a member of CIPD.
Her primary focus for the last decade has been on organisational wellbeing and she is relentlessly passionate about wellbeing, diversity and inclusion.
Tracey joined the MMW team to continue her focus in cultural change and awareness in menopause.
Admin Support
Having worked in the hospitality industry for the last 25 years, for a privately owned group of hotels, bars and restaurants, Amy has carried out various systems and administrative roles. Since 2022 Amy has used her administrative, organisational and creative skills to support Lynda and Kelly in their roles.
Amy also enjoys being part of a team of fundraisers, helping to organise events as well as holding the role of treasurer for 5 years.
B.PTY MSC Chartered Physiotherapist
Claire specialises in women’s musculo-skeletal health. She has extensive experience in the public, private and corporate health sector. Previous roles include coordinating and delivering workplace health and wellbeing programmes on behalf of Corporate Wellness Companies and managing the University of Bristol Sports Medicine Clinic and internal student and staff health and wellbeing support.
Claire’s wealth of knowledge helps to provide practical solutions to the challenges and impacts of menopause on women’s physical resilience, strength, cardiovascular, and wider health.
Medical Herbalist
Since gaining a degree in Western Herbal Medicine in 1999, Hannah has been a practising medical herbalist. She now specialises in helping women who’d prefer a natural route through menopause, combining herbal medicine with health coaching and/or hypnotherapy into tailor made treatment programmes.
HR Consultant
With over 28 years of experience, Jo is extremely skilled in providing comprehensive HR guidance to diverse industries, leveraging exceptional knowledge of best practices and industry trends. By enhancing organisational structure, culture, and processes, Jo’s expertise will improve efficiency and employee satisfaction.
Women's Holistic Health & Wellbeing Coach
Lindsay has a wealth of experience, formerly a spa / retreat director for hotel groups before studying to become a health & wellbeing coach (studying nutrition & lifestyle medicine) and mindset coach, working alongside the NHS (PCN) with patients with a multitude of health issues including weight management, menopause, gut health and stress.
Nutritionist
Mel supports women who find food a source of anxiety, guilt and shame using non-diet and weight inclusive approaches. She specialises in nutrition for menopause, long term conditions and supports neurodivergent adults. With over 28 years’ experience (including 20 years lecturing), Mel has also worked with numerous organisations and shared her knowledge and expertise on National Radio and TV.
Hypnotist
Steve is a Registered Hypnotist with 18 years of experience. He has been successfully helping individuals and organisations bring positive changes in their lives. His expertise and exceptional skills in hypnosis, means he is dedicated to helping people achieve their goals and live a better life.