Case study

Menopause support in the workplace

A case study in preventative healthcare and partnership working

Partners: Brighton and Hove City Council

Proudly funded by the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Fund to champion women’s reproductive health in the workplace, aligning with the Women’s Health Strategy for England.

At Here, we believe exceptional care should reach people where they are, not just in clinics and hospitals but in workplaces, communities, and everyday life. Our Menopause@Work programme is a powerful example of how we brought this belief to life through innovative, purpose-led partnerships.

We know that menopause, a significant life stage that needs long-term management for many, is often poorly understood and under-supported, particularly in the workplace. One in ten women leave their jobs due to menopause-related challenges. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the impact is profound for both individuals and organisations.

We saw an opportunity to change that.

By reimagining how and where support was delivered, we worked with local SMEs and people experiencing menopause to offer something different: practical, evidence-based menopause support grounded in clinical expertise but designed for the real world of work.

Working together to shift the setting of care

The result was Menopause@Work, a three-year programme delivered in collaboration between Here and Brighton & Hove City Council and funded by the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Fund to support the Women’s Health Strategy for England.

At its heart was a dynamic digital platform offering menopause-focused courses and training for both individuals and businesses. Alongside this, a series of in-person and online workshops helped to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote supportive workplace practices, creating space for open, informed conversations.

This wasn’t just about improving knowledge. It was about enabling change, taking a preventative approach that empowered businesses and employees alike to make adjustments to improve long-term health, well-being and staff retention.

Tangible outcomes

Over three years, Menopause@Work delivered tangible, measurable outcomes:

490

people engaged with the programme through the digital platform or by attending events.

74%

of participants were from SMEs — with 250 having meaningful engagement through courses or workshops.

94%

of participants said they felt more confident talking about menopause, signalling a significant shift towards openness and understanding.

93%

reported an improved understanding of how workplaces can better support people experiencing menopause.

89%

left with specific actions they intended to take forward in their own organisations.

Lasting impact

“It really kickstarted the process for us. We’re now actively working on a menopause policy and looking at practical ways to support staff, like uniform adjustments and flexible breaks.” (Participant, SME)

“Through our M@W programme, we were able to offer tailored support to both individuals and businesses. What made it really powerful was bringing together such a broad community – from the voluntary and community sector to funders, the city council, and clinical specialists – all working together to create menopause-focused health and wellbeing programmes beyond the usual medical settings.”

“The training has given me the confidence and knowledge to have conversations with staff about menopause… As a team, we’re having more of these conversations – I think staff feel more confident to approach me now, knowing I have a good understanding.” (Line Manager, SME)

“Investing in menopausal staff isn’t just the right thing to do, it makes financial sense. Small changes, like lighter uniforms or flexible breaks, can have a big impact on keeping people in work.” (SME Owner)