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Creating a “safe haven” to find support, help, and advice from others is the inspiration behind a new Menopause Café in Caerphilly.
The new monthly group has been set-up by residents Melanie Phillips and Vikki Alexander who found each other online looking for support.
They decided they wanted to create a safe space for others to meet and be able to talk about it openly and confidentially to help alleviate the loveliness and the taboos surrounding this natural stage of life.
Melanie, 52, explained: “The reason I was looking for support was having gone through the menopause for a little while, the medicine wasn’t doing what I wanted and I thought it would be nice to speak to others familiar with what I’m going through.
“I am so grateful I reached out and Vikki responded. She’s done quite a lot of the work.”
After realising the nearest Menopause Café group was in Swansea (after one in Blackwood stopped running), the two decided to start their own at Caerphilly Miners Centre.
But the group is not just for women.
Melanie added: “Men are welcome. The menopause affects everybody – the women going through it, but also the men living with them. It affects so many more people than we’re led to believe.
“It’s great getting together with people from all walks of life and different ages to have this support group.
“We are raising awareness so there is somewhere people can come – it’s a safe haven.”
The new group, which meets on the last Tuesday of every month between 6pm and 8pm, is being organised under the umbrella of the Menopause Café charity.
Visit www.menopausecafe.net for more information.
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