About
This podcast is a get to know Anita podcast; I am the presenter of Black Menopause and Beyond Podcast; I talk about my Health (including how covid impacted) Menopause and Menopause conversation journey and how I got here.
In 2018 I realised the Menopause lasted for years; I was shocked and horrified that it was not just a quick switching off a bodily activity. I was horrified to find out that Menopause was a transition, and for some women, the change was quite dramatic and could last for years. Plus, I wondered why Menopause was a secret.
In 2019 I started an online peer menopause group (that I still run), then on to a face to face group sessions (this has stopped since covid). This group work with local women within my town. I organised my first menopause conference in 2019 and my second in February 2020. My Borough Council supported the group, and the events had NHS professionals such as Gynaecologist, Women Health Providers, BBC Presenter Nana Akua, TUC talking about work rights, plus everyday women speaking about their personal experiences. The group was interviewed by ITV News and BBC radio in 2019. I was nominated for an 'Everyday Hero' award by my local Newspaper, Bedford Independent, for the menopause group. I am currently planning a regular walking group for the women, arranging regular online talks and face-to-face sessions, and working with the Borough Council and borough councillors to engage the local women to discuss what they need from the council their experiences with the NHS.
In 2020 I met Nina, the founder of Black women in Menopause; I became a co-founder with Nina and her online black women in menopause group. I loved my first menopause group, but I quickly noticed an absence of women of colour and other groups within my sessions. I realised that menopause taboos and the menopause conversation were more challenging for some groups than others. Also, the discussions did not include conversations around cultural foods, differing cultural taboos, different hair types etc. I joined Nina, and with black women Menopause, the aim was not to exclude other women but to add black Menopause to the menopause conversation. So that black woman would feel that they too can talk about Menopause. The Black menopause group are currently organising loads of activities and talks for the future.
So, I currently work on two peer menopause groups, and now I have started this podcast.
Anita at blackmenobeyond@yahoo.com
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