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PEEPs for our people
Opencast has taken a big step forward in its commitment to provide the best support for its people – with a new team of ‘people experience partners’ (...
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So it is crucially important that we raise awareness, provide support and create space for open conversations to break the stigma about menopause. World Menopause Month has offered us all an opportunity to do that.
Throughout October, Opencast’s voluntary Women in Digital employee resource group (ERG) collaborated with our newly formed Menopause Champions team on a series of activities designed to promote wellness, share valuable resources and offer support to all colleagues.
Menopause Champions launch: dedicated team members have received in-depth training by workplace menopause consultant and coach Amantha King to help them become Opencast Menopause Champions. Representing various parts of the organisation, our 10 champions are committed to fostering a menopause-inclusive workplace environment, free from stigma or shame. We aim to empower people in leadership and management roles to be more informed, curious and confident in discussing menopause.
The role of Menopause Champions involves advocating for and supporting individuals, while raising awareness at all levels of the organisation on menopause-related issues. They want to ensure that no one suffers in silence or has their work/quality of life affected by menopausal symptoms and can signpost to various areas of help and support.
We have created dedicated intranet pages where Opencast colleagues can find all things menopause, including details of Menopause Champions, updates on upcoming events and handy tips and tricks.
‘Understanding Menopause’ round table: we held a lively panel discussion exploring the diverse ways that menopause impacts women. The panel was a perfect example of how the various stages of menopause can impact people in many different ways. This ranged from more commonly recognised symptoms such as hot flushes and brain fog to lesser-known symptoms like itchy ears, vertigo and various rashes.
We also learned how menopause is perceived in different cultures and backgrounds and how you can be the catalyst for change by speaking up to help future generations and work to break the stigma. Another topic covered was how menopause impacts ADHD and the potential of traditional medicines, alternatives people seek and the impact these have.
The overwhelming message from the round table was that each speaker wished they had sought advice from their GP earlier and had spoken up to others about their symptoms. Too often they attributed symptoms to wider life events and sought medical advice only when the impact became too overwhelming both physically and/or mentally.
The feedback on the round table was amazing, with some saying they felt less alone and wanted to be part of a community moving forward so they can help others by sharing their stories and offering support. Others called the discussions ‘life-changing’ – and the discussion assured people that they could be confident in seeking help.
‘The Menopause Menu’: healthy nutrition can make a big difference to women’s ability to manage symptoms and maintain overall well-being. Hormonal changes can affect bone density, energy levels and metabolism, so consuming nutrient-rich foods is particularly important.
A balanced diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, healthy fats and protein can help maintain bone health, support hormone regulation and reduce the risk of heart disease and weight gain. An additional focus on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can ease common symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings, promoting better health during this transition.
We shared a variety of recipes tailored to support women affected and look forward to seeing the pictures coming through of the food people baked – hopefully without a soggy bottom in sight!
Sleep resources for menopause wellness: a good night’s sleep is important to all of us – but sleep can be a significant challenge during menopause. Hormone shifts can lead to sleep disturbances, which in turn can worsen symptoms like mood swings, fatigue and brain fog and reduce resilience to stress. We shared some tried-and-tested hints and tips for a good night’s sleep along with recommendations of supplements and teas.
Menopause kits: as part of our training as Menopause Champions, we learned that in some circumstances, women can experience ‘flooding’, which means that they have can several days’ worth of period within several minutes. This can lead to soiled clothes, embarrassment and in some cases shame. To combat this, menopause kits have been made available to all employees and visitors to Opencast offices.
These kits contain practical items for someone to clean and freshen themselves up and include:
Opencast is striving to be a menopause-positive employer, taking strides to implement essential health and support resources. We also recognise that there is more work to do – and that October’s Menopause Month is only the beginning.
We hope that our initiatives offer ideas and perspectives for other organisations to learn from – and are happy to share what’s worked for our people so far. We are learning too, of course, so as part of our ongoing journey, we’d love to hear about any activities that have been effective in your organisation.
The role of Menopause Champions involves advocating for and supporting individuals, while raising awareness on menopause-related issues. They want to ensure that no one suffers in silence or has their work/quality of life affected by menopausal symptoms and can signpost to various areas of help and support
Opencast has taken a big step forward in its commitment to provide the best support for its people – with a new team of ‘people experience partners’ (...
Over recent years, the offering that employers provide to people in support of their mental health has progressively risen to more prominence, to offe...
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