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Avanti West Coast worker helps highlight early menopause

Posted on - 10th August, 2023 - 1:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Business, Health, Preston City Centre, Preston News, Preston Railway Station
Hellen Briscoe has been working to raise the menopause amongst Avanti workers Pic: Avanti West Coast

A Preston woman has been helping her colleagues talk openly about the menopause.

Hellen Briscoe was diagnosed with perimenopause at the age of 37 and approached Avanti West Coast about running a drop-in session for staff.

The first session was held at Preston Railway Station and the customer service assistant hopes it will now lead to follow-up events at other Avanti-run stations across the country.

Read more: Preston Railway Station roof needs major overhaul

Hellen, now aged 39, said: “We need to talk about menopause. For some reason it has been a taboo subject. This baffles me, as all women will go through it – some will sail through it, others will struggle but either way we all need to be aware of what the menopause is and what to look out for.

“Those who came to the drop-in stayed a while, chatted to people they didn’t know, offered their advice, and listened to others. Some came on their days off, which proves some women need this. Not a lot is known by the younger generation, so the event was not only for us now, but for those in the future.

“I hope everyone who attended took away some comfort in knowing they can talk to me anytime, as well as giving them a much better understanding of the menopause and how we can all have our own journeys but together we can get through it more easily.

“I am eager to gain a community in the workplace, where we feel listened to, understood, and not embarrassed about menopause – not just in the workplace but our everyday life.”

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Hellen gained the support of TV presenter and panellist Andrea McLean who shared her story about the menopause with Hellen’s group.

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