EDUCATION
Character – ‘ Miss Menopause ’ Sharon MacArthur , who ’ s running a course at the University of Sunderland .
Breaking
the taboo
Menopause in the workplace – a conversation everyone in business should be having , facilitated by the University of Sunderland
WORDS : SARAH WALKER
A
fun and interactive masterclass from the University of Sunderland aims to break the taboo of menopause for the benefit of business professionals .
People at all levels within organisations across the North-East can access the fully funded course , which is only two and a half hours long and delivered by Sharon MacArthur as part of the university ’ s £ 15m North East Workforce Skills Programme .
Sara Jolly , work-based learning , marketing and client relationship officer at the University of Sunderland , explains how the course is an easy way to support colleagues ’ continuous professional development , as well as helping employers learn how to better support women going through this key stage in their lives and get everyone involved .
“ We ’ ve been trying to get something like this particular course for some time – it ’ s just been about getting someone as great as Sharon on board to deliver it ,” Sara explains .
Sharon , who is known as ‘ Miss Menopause ’, was inspired to start her own business helping organisations navigate this key stage life event following her own experience going through the menopause .
Her company has now been operating for over four years in this space and Sharon was one of the first people in the country to provide a service like this for organisations .
Sara describes her as “ quite a character ”.
“ She talks in plain facts but she ’ s fun with it ,” Sara says .
“ The course is aimed at everyone , not just women .
“ If anyone who comes to any of the sessions goes out and tells one person about what they ’ ve learned , it ’ s done its job .
“ Being aware that everyone will encounter menopause , either directly or indirectly , is very important within the workplace .”
The course encourages people to share their own experiences in a safe setting .
It ’ s all part of the process of educating employers on how they can support their colleagues .
“ Menopause can still be seen as a taboo subject , but we just need to normalise the fact that women will go through this ,” Sara says .
“ Sharon wants people to be able to talk openly about it . Menopause just needs to become business as usual in the workplace .
“ The course enables people to hear how it affects women differently and encourages people to share information about living and working well during this time in their lives .
“ Sharon encourages people to participate and share stories and experiences , which
For more information , visit sunderland . ac . uk / esf means that every one of the masterclasses is different .”
She says : “ Sending HR professionals is a great starting point , but the way this course is designed means it ’ s accessible for everyone at all levels in your organisation .
“ We have had a lot of interest in this course and it ’ s interesting to see people ’ s reactions . Organisations do not necessarily expect something like this to be available to them .
“ The course enables business people to create solutions on how they might support people in their organisation who are impacted by menopause . It ’ s a great starting point to get the conversation started .”
The masterclass on menopause is just one small element of the European Social Funded North East Workforce skills project , which is offering just shy of £ 15m of fully funded training to businesses .
All businesses need to do to sign up is fill in two forms , which the team at the university are happy to assist with .
There are nearly 100 courses in the university ’ s portfolio – covering lots of subject areas including media , leadership , health and much more .
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