Plans are underway for the annual menopause festival, taking place at the end of this month in Perth.
And the message from this year’s organisers is ‘if you think the menopause is doom and gloom and the beginning of the end, think again’.
The world’s only menopause festival, now in its second year, will take place at Perth Theatre on Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27.
It will be officially opened by Christina McKelvie MSP, Scotland’s minister for older people and equalities, and it is hoped the festival will give both male and female members of the public the opportunity to explore different aspects of the menopause.
The festival is open to all genders and all ages, and follows on from the world’s very first menopause cafe, set up by Rachel Weiss from Rowan Consultancy.
She said: “There are a lot of negative connotations around the menopause but, for many, the third stage of life is an opportunity for women to take stock of their life, and take control.
“As well as succeeding in getting more men and women talking about the menopause, through our menopause cafe now running throughout the UK and beyond, there are other steps women can take which we will be exploring throughout the festival.
“From encouraging women to get stuck into some new creative past times and exploring mindfulness, to taking a closer look at their diet, our speakers have lots of practical tips to reduce symptoms and embrace the changes which the menopause can present.”
The keynote speaker will be Kelli Jaecks, author of ‘Martinis and the Menopause - strategies, science and sips that empower women to beat the hormone groan’.
She will travel to the Fair City from her home in Oregon, USA to speak about the so-called ‘fantastic four’, of exercise, diet, sleep and HRT.
Meanwhile, Dr Laura Jarvis from the Tayside Menopause Clinic will speak on the medical aspects of the menopause.
There will also be stalls and workshops on everything from creative writing and photography to cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, nutrition and exercise.
Evening entertainment will also be offer, including comedy from ‘Gusset Grippers’.
And Friday’s activities will be aimed specifically at human resources professionals, line managers, trade unions and employment lawyers with a ‘menopause at work’ seminar, which will explore the rights of both women and their employers, menopause policies and how the menopause impacts on women’s economic participation at a national level.
To attend the festival, visit www.horsecross.co.uk/festivals/menopause-festival-2019
