'Menopause workshops made us feel empowered'

Women who took part in the Mindful Menopause course in Bradford

Women in Bradford have called for more investment in creative and culturally sensitive menopause support after completing a six-week course that combined medical advice with art workshops.

The programme, run by Yorkshire Women's Forum in partnership with Hayat Health, was fully booked within 24 hours - evidence, organisers said, of the scale of unmet demand.

As well as expert guidance on symptoms, treatment and diet, the course encouraged women to make floral crowns in tribute to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

Many participants said it helped them find themselves again and "feel like queens" at a stage of life often marked by silence and stigma.

The Mindful Menopause workshops were an emotional and "priceless" journey for domestic violence survivor Sunjeeda Hanif

Fatima Valiji, who took part in the sessions, said the experience was both educational and liberating.

"It felt like I belonged to something, and it felt like a really safe space with fellow sisters to discuss something that can be quite taboo," she said.

"It was really empowering. For the first time, I felt I could just speak openly and not be judged. I'm so proud of this artwork, it's amazing."

For Sunjeeda Hanif, 53, the workshops also opened up new conversations with her teenage sons.

"I've never stopped to think about me," said Ms Hanif, a survivor of domestic violence.

"This gave me the opportunity to sit down with my boys and talk about menopause and other things in the family. To sit with your children and do this, it's priceless."

She added of her own menopause journey: "I thought I was going crazy. People in my life told me I was going crazy because they didn't understand either. Culturally, menopause just isn't something we talk about. That's why safe spaces like this are so important.

"It's a new me now, and I'm unstoppable. It's a new lease of life, and I want to share with other women that it's not the end, it's the beginning. It's just a process of change and things get better."

Harriet Smith and Noshina Kiani said more public sector investment is needed in courses and grassroots support

The course was developed by former NHS professionals and Hayat Health co-founders Noshina Kiani and Harriet Smith. They said the blend of information and creativity allowed women to build knowledge and confidence while exploring their sense of self.

Ms Kiani said: "Every session there's been growth and transformation. At first, women came not knowing anything about their health, not confident about where to go or what changes to make. By the end of six weeks, they had a menopause plan. They knew the direction, they knew there was help, and they felt validated and listened to."

She added there was a "gap" in both knowledge and suitable medical and emotional support for women undergoing change.

"It's not only the patients who don't know, clinicians don't know," she said.

"How do you unpick years of brain fog, anxiety and symptoms with a 10-minute GP appointment?

"During menopause, women often lose their identity. They say: 'I don't recognise myself, I'm not the same person'. This programme teaches the importance of filling your own cup first."

Ms Smith added: "For me, it's about empowering women, giving them a voice, and doing that in a safe space. That's why it's important to run health education events with voluntary and community groups that are already trusted. If people don't feel safe and secure, they don't ask questions."

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