Connections
To create connections, a safe space, shared purpose, interests, information, and sense of belonging for members.
Menopause Staff Network
Information on how the University of Sunderland's Menopause Staff Network has run between 2022-23.
What is the Menopause Staff Network?
The Menopause Network aims to provide a safe space to share experiences and knowledge, discuss current topics, and make influence wherever possible.
The network has made great strides to address equality issues through monthly meetings with members and raises awareness of issues to a senior sponsor when necessary.
Our members have highlighted that the network is a place where they can get support and information from like-minded people going through similar experiences. It's a place to feel safe, talk about their symptoms and receive tips on how to manage their daily lives.
- 92% agree that this network gives them the feeling that they belong
- 92.3% agree that this network allows them to express their authentic self
- 87% agree that this network allows them to express their views without judgement.
Our Network Chair
Sharon Moon is the Chair of the Menopause Staff Network alongside Louise Thompson.
Initiatives and actions that have impacted the University
Our network discussed the ways they have impacted the University positively. Some of the important things we've done in the last year include the Menopause Statement of Commitment which supports all employees going through the menopause.
Another key thing that our members highlighted was the hard work that the network leads have done in the last year. By spending their time to share their knowledge and provide support for members, it helped our staff feel more confident.
Aims for the next 12 months
The aims for our network in the year ahead include:
- Encouraging more participation from peri-menopausal women
- Finding more speakers to attend our menopause training and awareness sessions, to teach us more about topics such as wellbeing, nutrition, advice for approaching GPs, alternative therapies, and many more
- Hosting free participatory wellbeing events on campus to help empower staff
- Providing training for management and team leaders so they can support their staff to the best of their ability.
Our senior sponsors
We receive support from senior sponsors at the University. Looking forward, we ask our sponsor to:
- Commit to using their connections and knowledge to support the network in delivering great events, widening membership, and inspiring staff across the University
- Work to feed the views of the networks to the EDI group and Executive
- Help recruit more male staff members to the network
- Champion menopause training and awareness for all line managers so they can support their team
- Do a podcast on their experience of the network
- Continue to find speakers and medical professionals to give informative talks to the group.
Does the network support the delivery of the University’s value of inclusion?
When our members were asked if the group support the delivery of the University's value of inclusion, 75% answered ‘Definitely yes’, 20.8% answered ‘Probably yes’, and 4.2% answered 'Might or might not'.
Our terms of reference
We asked our members their opinions on how we deliver our terms of reference:
Share
To share problems, knowledge, ideas, situations, and lessons.
Solve problems
To help to solve problems and challenges by bringing resources, processes, and influencing change.
Powerful voice
To be a powerful voice and source for positive change, embedded across the whole University.
Contact us
We welcome feedback on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Please contact our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team, inclusion@sunderland.ac.uk or the Students' Union at yoursu@sunderland.ac.uk.