As part of World Menopause Awareness Month this October, UK-based ICMIF member OneFamily will be hosting its first Menopause Café on Tuesday 14 October to encourage open discussion and understanding of the menopause in the workplace.
The event, which will be held at OneFamily’s Brighton office, will aim to provide a respectful and confidential space for employees to come together, share experiences, listen to others, and learn more about the menopause. It is open to all colleagues, regardless of gender or age, reflecting OneFamily’s belief that awareness and empathy benefit everyone.
The initiative forms part of OneFamily’s Wellbeing Champions programme, which promotes health and wellbeing across the organisation. Through this programme, the company has introduced a menopause policy, enhanced parental leave, and continued to support hybrid working — all aimed at fostering a culture where colleagues feel understood, supported, and included.
Menopause can bring a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms that affect many aspects of daily life, including work. By creating opportunities for open dialogue, OneFamily says it hopes to help reduce stigma and ensure that those affected feel empowered and supported.
Lindsay Taylor-King, People Director at OneFamily, said: “Each woman’s journey through the menopause is different and unique. Our Menopause Café is a chance for colleagues to come together, open up and talk, helping remove the stigma around this stage of life. The Café is part of our dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all colleagues, especially those affected by the menopause, whether they are going through it themselves or know someone who is.”
Supporting colleagues through shared experience
For OneFamily’s Marketing and Digital Director, Beth Tait (pictured above), the company’s supportive approach has been especially meaningful. Beth experienced an early menopause triggered by IVF treatment in her 30s.
She described the challenges of managing symptoms such as brain fog — “a bit like waking up in the middle of the night still very drowsy and in a place you don’t recognise” — and intense hot flushes that left her feeling bewildered and exhausted.
Through the experience, she found that openness, humour, and practical adjustments helped her cope. Importantly, she said, OneFamily’s understanding made a significant difference.
“The way through is not to hide your distress, not to pretend it’s nothing and not to soldier on as though you’re OK, because often you are not,” Beth said. “Be open about it with family, friends, colleagues and your employer. OneFamily really supported me through the whole process and understood how my symptoms impacted me. Just being able to leave meetings to cool down and clear my head was a big help. Having them understand and be there for me was incredibly reassuring.”
Beth added that her experience has helped her support others who may be facing similar challenges: “I can now better support colleagues, friends and partners of women who are experiencing menopause, because I’ve worn that T-shirt.”
By sharing stories like Beth’s and creating spaces such as the Menopause Café, OneFamily aims to normalise conversation about the menopause and promote a culture of care and inclusion — values that most mutual and cooperative insurers around the world share.
