Menopause event in Bexleyheath a huge success with attendees

The Marriott hotel in Bexleyheath played host to the APL Primary Care Network Menopause Awareness Event on Tuesday 20 June. Tickets were snapped up for the event in record time and over 200 people attended to hear a range of speakers from across medical professions, as well as the personal testimony of one woman on her struggles with the menopause.

The event was organised in collaboration between the APL Primary Care Network, Mind in Bexley and Bexley Voluntary Service Council, and was aimed to provide attendees with a range of speakers giving information about the menopause and debunking some of the myths around the often-misunderstood stage of life.

The speakers included Leila Frodsham, Consultant Gynaecologist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Edelweiss Collings (Head of Psychological Therapies and Clinical Lead NHS Bexley Talking Therapies for Mind in Bexley) and Kate Shrager, the Community Connect Manager for Bexley Voluntary Service Council. The event also included lively question and answer opportunities, with the panel of speakers.

Event organiser Dr Emma Agyekum GP, from The Albion Surgery in Bexleyheath, said: “We are delighted that the event was so well attended and received such positive feedback. There was a lovely atmosphere in the room and several women approached me about how best to seek help with menopausal symptoms; it already feels like we’ve made a bit of a difference. This event was inspired by the many women I see in my practice who share their experiences of perimenopause and menopause with me. My aim was to create a safe space for everyone to speak openly and honestly about menopause, and dispel any myths or misinformation.

“I hope that it provided those in attendance with information and resources that will enable them to confidently make choices about their health and empowered them to live well through the perimenopause, menopause and beyond.

“I am grateful to Ms Leila Frodsham and Guy’s and St Thomas’ Private Healthcare, to Kate Shrager and Community Connect and to Edelweiss Collings and the team at Mind in Bexley and East Kent for their support with this event and all of their hard work.”

Edelweiss Collings (Mind in Bexley’s Head of Psychological Therapies and Clinical Lead NHS Bexley Talking Therapies) said: “It’s only recently that the Menopause has been a topic that is spoken about. We are determined to keep these conversations going and events like this are important to keep the topic in the public’s thoughts. It was heart-warming to see so many people attend and keen to listen to the range of speakers. Mind in Bexley is committed to supporting women through the menopause and we have placed help and resources on our website for people to browse through and choose from.”

To access the Mind in Bexley menopause information, please visit: https://mindinbexley.org.uk/menopause/ 

 

To access the presentation by Leila Frodsham click here: Me-N0-Pause June 23 Leila Frodsham menopause talk

For the Mind in Bexley presentation by Edelweiss Collings, click here: Bexley Talking Therapies Menopause Event 160623