Barratt Health & Wellbeing Month: Week 3 While mental health often takes the spotlight, it’s important we continue to open up the conversation on the less talked about aspects of our health. That’s why we are shining a light on menopause awareness this October, and this week we celebrate World Menopause Day on 18 October.
World Menopause Day and women's health We understand it is essential that we can recognise when employees require our support, and that we are able to facilitate open conversations with employees about what they are experiencing, which is why we introduced a new Menopause Policy in March. We want to break the stigma of menopause so all colleagues have a better understanding of the impact this can have, especially as 32% of our workforce are women. The menopause is a natural stage in a life and for most it happens around the ages of 45-55 years. The average age is 51 years old. In a recent survey from Henpicked, an organisation talking about menopause in the workplace, 63% of people said their working life had been negatively affected by their symptoms.
Watch our short video below highlighting why this subject is important and what support is available
Whilst not everyone experiences symptoms when going through the menopause, 3 out of 4 experience symptoms and as many as 1 in 4 have serious symptoms. However, around half have never consulted a healthcare professional about their menopause.
Did you know? Those going through the menopause are the fastest growing population at work? Or that around 8 out of 10 of those experiencing the menopause are in work?
Research shows that the majority of those who are suffering are unwilling to discuss menopause related health problems with their line managers, or ask for any support they may need. But there is help available. At Barratt we want to improve awareness and give you access to support and advice, helping you to take control of your menopause journey and talk about menopause openly. For more on the menopause in numbers from Henpicked, an organisation talking about menopause in the workplace, click here. They also have lots more information and tips on their Menopause Hub.
Signs and symptoms of menopause Hot flushes are often what spring to mind when we talk about the menopause, however there are a wide range of symptoms. You can read more about these on the NHS website. You could experience a few of these then find they change to others. You might not notice any, if you’re lucky, or you could find yourself blindsided by some unexpected ones. Remember, symptoms can be physical, psychological, or both. For more on the first signs of menopause from Henpicked click here. For information, tools and links on many areas of health and wellbeing please click here to visit our My Barratt Benefits website. For any queries or suggestions, please contact handw@barrattplc.co.uk.
Barratt Health & Wellbeing Month: Week 3 Peppy menopause app For more personalised help, Barratt colleagues through your Vitality membership, are able to access the Peppy app. To hear more about this check out Peppy’s short video here. With Peppy’s digital healthcare service, you can: Connect with real-life, NHS-trained menopause practitioners. Access support through one-to-one instant messaging and video or phone consultations. Get remote, personalised support, all via a secure app. To get the Peppy app access your Vitality Member Zone directly and search for menopause support and advice within the ‘Health’ section. For more information click here.
Additional support For more information on women’s health, check out Women’s Health Concern. With lots of information from this charity covering gynaecological, sexual and post reproductive health issues and lifestyle concerns. Helpful tips on women’s health are also available through the charity, Wellbeing of Women.
Want to know more? Why not join one of our Vitality webinars: Look back at our Understanding and Embracing Menopause webinar with Vitality from 6 October. Join the Menopause and mental health webinar with Peppy Health on Tuesday 18 October 1-2pm, register here. For an introduction to diet and lifestyle for women’s health why not join the Women’s health webinar on Wednesday 19 October 1011am. To register please click here. To learn more about the Power of exercise for women’s health, join the webinar on Friday 21 October 1-2pm by registering here. Join our Breast and gynaecological cancers webinar on Friday 28 October 1-2pm with Check4Cancer. To register click here.
What's coming next week? Next week we will provide information and signposting in support of our financial health and wellbeing.
For information, tools and links on many areas of health and wellbeing please click here to visit our My Barratt Benefits website. For any queries or suggestions, please contact handw@barrattplc.co.uk.