Menopause café opening in Dersingham the first of its kind in Norfolk
Two women have set up the county's first menopause café, aiming to increase awareness of the impacts the symptoms has on some women's lives.
Marisa Brummit and Gail Hodgson had the idea of setting up the café in Dersingham after going through the menopause themselves.
They want to break the taboo about menopause and give people an informal space where they can talk about the impacts it has on women and those around them.
Marisa said: "We are two women of a certain age who noticed that no one really talks about the dreaded M-word.
"Despite the fact that we are both going through ‘something’, funnily enough both quite differently, it’s not something you often discuss with your friends and family.
"We discovered the Menopause Café, an international organisation that aims to break down the stigma around menopause, increasing awareness of the impact of the menopause on those experiencing it, their family, friends and their colleagues.”
The first café will be held on Friday, January 20 from 10am-noon at Wellswill Cottage on Manor Road, Dersingham and offers a relaxed setting where people can discuss the menopause.
Marisa added: "At a Menopause Cafe people share their stories, experiences and questions, all made that little bit easier with tea and cake. "There are no speakers or experts, just friendly chat, a good laugh and a chance to offload.
"We offer an accessible, respectful and confidential space, open for all, with no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product or course of action."
The event, which may be ran regularly, is free to attend but it is asked people donate £2 towards the cost of tea, coffee and cakes.
The first menopause café was held in Perth, Scotland in 2017 and more have been set up across the country since.
Rachel Weiss, founder of the Menopause Café Charity, said: "The Menopause Café is aimed at women and men of all ages who would like to talk about the menopause, to share their stories, experiences and questions, all made that little bit easier with tea and cake."
