Tracey Downes has started a menopause support group which meets around once a month in her local pub in South Norfolk. Here, she explains how the group numbers have exceeded her expectations, even in a small community
What led you to starting up the menopause support group at The Fox & Hounds in Great Moulton, Norfolk?
My own experience of starting perimenopause and sharing this with friends led me to understand that there isn’t enough support for women going through these changes. Talking to others I felt that perhaps a group where we can come together and share our experiences, worries and concerns might help us all feel less alone and be a place where we can support each other.
Finding a safe and private venue was simple. I asked Ali, the landlady of The Fox and Hounds and she was happy for us to use the pub’s dining room to hold our meetings.
Do you want to share your menopause experience?
Starting perimenopause for me was not an easy transition. I knew very little about the symptoms, how long it might last or indeed if what I was experiencing was in fact anything to do with the menopause. I went to see my local GP, who was very helpful, and I was started on HRT. It took several visits and tweaks of what I was prescribed before I felt more on an even level. I still have symptoms that flare up and there are good and bad days but meeting others in our group and finding out that I’m not the only one going through these changes makes me feel less alone.
How did the first group meeting go? How often will you meet and will there always be a guest speaker, like Menopause Specialist Nurse Victoria Howell earlier this month?
Having started a WhatsApp group chat, inviting people to show interest in the possibility of having a support group, numbers started at around 10. It soon grew, with members inviting other local ladies they knew who’d appreciate coming along too. We held our first meeting in late November where we simply relaxed in each other’s company and spoke about our experiences and what things we would like from the group. Feedback from ladies who attended were that they all enjoyed getting together and went away not feeling so alone.
For our second meeting in January, Ali suggested we invite Victoria Howell to join us, to share her wealth of professional knowledge. We would like to have other guest speakers to join us in the future. Our third meeting is planned for late February.
Do you know of any other pubs that host menopause support groups?
I don’t know of any other pubs that host menopause support groups but it’s a great location to get local ladies in the community together. Some of us know each other and some new friends have been made but the most important thing is that we all feel happy to share our own stories in a relaxed environment.
How can people join the group and find out more?
Members of the group chat can invite other ladies who they think might like to join us. At the moment we have grown to 32 members on our group chat. Not all ladies attend the meetings but the support is there if they need it and I try to give feedback on the chat of any points of interest so those who missed out can still feel in the loop.
What are your hopes for the group?
The group numbers have already exceeded what I thought. It’s amazing how so many in a small community are so keen to get together. I hope that our meetings continue, whether that be monthly or when the group needs it. There are some things I’m thinking about trying to include in future meetings including a topic which has been mentioned by quite a few members, a guest speaker for the partners/husbands!
Visit The Fox and Hounds Public House, Great Moulton
Featured images supplied by Alison Holman, The Fox and Hounds
Hello, how do I find out when the menopause support group is meeting at the Foc and hound
Hi Penny,
Have you tried contacting the Fox and Hounds? They should be able to tell you if the group still meets there 😊