ENABLE, a not-for-profit based in Wandsworth, London, is currently conducting a non-medical menopause support pilot to provide holistic support to those experiencing menopause symptoms.
The Enable Health and Wellbeing team designs innovative initiatives which tackle barriers to improving health in local communities and will use this research to explore how they can utilise their existing health and wellbeing experts and services to enhance and support women’s health – specifically those who are experiencing perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms.
The menopause support pilot, funded and delivered by Enable, began in May 2022 and has already gathered rich and meaningful insights via focus groups, working with experts in the field, women’s health charities, menopause health experts and a group of people with lived experience.
This information gathering has highlighted the gaps people experience in support, especially for those who require or prefer a more holistic approach to managing their symptoms either in combination with or in place of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Ian Mitchell CEO of Enable, says: “I am thrilled that Enable has taken this innovative step towards developing a non-medical menopause support programme, and are able to reinvest £100,000 to make a real difference, strengthening the communities we work with.
“Every day, there is more and more evidence of a gap in support for people going through menopause, so I believe Enable’s menopause research and development in menopause support can help to address this.
“I am excited to see the evidence from the programme and where this research work may lead.”
The Enable Health and Wellbeing Team has developed a delivery model for the pilot, including 1-2-1 health coaching alongside group peer support in the community. The team is working with academic partners who will evaluate the project’s outcomes.
Findings so far in their early-stage research demonstrate that misinformation, a lack of community-based and workplace support along with general misunderstanding about menopause have been significant barriers to people getting the assistance, advice and help they need during this significant and life-changing event.
Once the pilot concludes at the end of June 2023, the team plan to use their learnings to partner with organisations, working effectively with primary and secondary care, the public and private sector and the voluntary sector in offering a meaningful support model to people experiencing menopause.
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