Mid Devon District Council is continuing to improve the support available to staff going through menopause, with a new team of Menopause Champions now in place.

The Menopause Champions initiative launched in September, with several staff receiving menopause awareness training. The Champions are there to provide a confidential space for colleagues to talk, ask questions and get guidance, as well as helping to improve understanding of menopause across the wider workforce.

It is the latest step in the Council’s work to make menopause a more open and better understood issue in the workplace.

The Council has already introduced free period pads on a roll across its offices and leisure facilities and runs menopause awareness and training sessions for staff.

Menopause has also been added as a recognised reason for sickness absence. This means staff can be more open about when menopause is affecting their health and ability to work, while giving the Council a better understanding of the support people may need.

The work also extends to Active Mid Devon, which has previously provided free menopause education sessions, helping to raise awareness and understanding in the wider community.

Councillor Lloyd Knight, Cabinet Member for People Development, said:

“Menopause can have a real impact on people’s working lives, and we want our staff to feel comfortable talking about it and accessing support.

“The Menopause Champions are another step towards creating a more open and supportive workplace, and we’ll continue to look at what more we can do.”

For anyone looking for more information and support, the British Menopause Society has put together a Menopause Support Booklet.