Menopause support group in Forres saved as Midlife Mingle to help local women
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LOCAL women have come together to secure the future of a popular menopause support group after funding ran dry.
Frances Jamieson started Menopause Moments, a series of cafés and workshops, as she wanted to support women by promoting an active discussion about menopause in Forres.
She got in touch with the Forres Area Community Trust (FACT), who partnered with tsiMoray to find funding for a series of menopause events.
Frances said: “The events were an opportunity for women of certain ages to come together and learn from each other.
“Our goal was to raise awareness that there’s a need for menopause events in Forres. These events are to provide a place for women to have a blether, have a network, and to get advice.”
Two cafés were held using FACT and tsiMoray funding, with guest speakers including a personal trainer and a doctor.
A colour workshop and high ropes event were also held with the aim of improving women’s confidence. The final event was a marketplace of 18 local businesses which included stalls about nutrition, fitness, and alternative therapies.
These events gained popularity within the community, with some even having a waiting list. However, when the funding ran out, it left a group of women wondering where the future of menopause conversations would go.
Jean Pryde, founder of Forres mental health company Green Ribbons, had attended these events and was upset at the funding’s ending. Despite not knowing each other before the events, she reached out to Frances and they found a solution due to their common interest in menopause support.
By working together, they were able to start a new project called the Midlife Mingle where women can come together and have a safe space to discuss menopause. Sessions will be held at Café 1496.
Judgement-free sessions are open to all women – whether you want to find out how to support those going through menopause, are going through it yourself or are post-menopausal.
Jean said: “Usually follow-ups never happen to events like these, though that’s not what we wanted to happen. I collaborated with Frances and we approached the Café 1496 in Forres to ask if we could host the café there.
“We chose to host it at a café for its simplicity and welcoming nature: it’s nothing like walking into a scary office and having a dull experience. The owners of the café were really supportive and even gave us the venue for free.”
The café will be an informal conversation space so women can discuss menopause and share their experiences over a cup of coffee. With the pilot event being on October 25, the goal of the gathering is for it to be a safe space where people can connect and learn from each other.
The pair hope that there will eventually be Midlife Mingle events all over Moray and that local women will feel empowered to carry on the cafés once they are finished facilitating it. There are currently talks among similar groups in Lossiemouth about locating funding for their own café.
Jean continued, saying: “Whatever you are feeling depressed, anxious or lonely, we want to be a safe space where you can talk about it and not feel any shame. All it takes is a bit of confidence to go in.
"Even if you don’t want to talk, simply come and have a cuppa.”
These events are free to attend with no need to book. The café evening will be on the last Wednesday of each month from 6pm to 7.30pm.
