MidLife Women Rock Cafes

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Posted: Saturday, February 15th, 2020

Forums to compassionately empower women to positively and pro-actively manage menopausal transition.

The Mid Life Women Rock café has been up and running monthly in Waterford since September 2019.We meet on the first Tuesday of each month at the coffee shop at Waterford Health Park, Waterford city, thanks to the support of the medical staff and Edel Roe. Women share stories, support, laughter, and learn from each other in this safe space. I have been researching menopause for almost three years. I facilitate the café informing and educating women in order to enable and empower them to make the best decision for their menopause journey. It is wonderful to see women access their own agency, feeling empowered and in control, deciding what bests suits their needs during this life stage. The cafes are growing in numbers monthly with many women returning again and again supporting new members. Women are powerful when they support other women. It was wonderful to have the “Midlife Mermaids” join us this month, these are a group of ladies who sea swim at Clonea beach in west Waterford and as many of you know the power of the sea and being out in nature is scientifically proven to reduce symptoms during menopause. My vision would be to see the café here in Waterford continue to grow, with cafes eventually appearing in every county in Ireland. Women deserve to have a safe space to discuss menopause, a subject which has for too long been misunderstood and associated with predominantly negative narratives. There are many positives, opportunities and second chances for women at this time in their lives, the media need to be challenged to focus more on these narratives. As a member of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland academy 2019 the support and mentorship received in setting up this initiative has been invaluable.

What women are saying

  • Now that I have the knowledge, language and confidence to speak openly about menopause, it changes everything

    Angie Co. Cork

  • I would recommend the Midlife Women Rock Cafe because it's a reliable, well-researched source for information on Menopause matters, but more importantly, understands it from the Women's perspective as it's women talking to women.

    MaryCareer in Transition, Co Meath

  • Breeda is a research-based intellectual talent on menopause and an engaging speaker. Starting conversations around a taboo subject is not easy, it takes a lot of courage.

    Brenda - Business Owner, Co. Waterford

  • If you want to get to understand and learn everything you need to know about menopause, Sign up for the empowering women menopause course. This 6-week course was life-changing for me.

    Niamh - Limerick

  • I highly recommend this 6-week course to any woman wanting to understand menopause and themselves. I personally found it brilliant. It gave me back my confidence in myself. I met a group of open-minded women. There is nowhere women can go to talk with other women about this time in our lives. I have learned not to let menopause define me. I always had thought of it negatively, would never have seen it as a time to open up to new possibilities and opportunities. Breeda covers everything you need to know over the 6 weeks.”

    Anna

  • This programme has helped me become more relaxed and empowered around menopause. I have a great GP and am taking HRT. It’s the information sharing with a group of like-minded women that is very powerful at this time of my life. The course was shared by Breeda in a fun and light-hearted way which reduces any stress or anxiety that one may have. I now have a better understanding of myself with lots of strategies to manage symptoms and would highly recommend this course.”

    Jennifer

  • I would highly recommend this 6-week course. I received so much support from Breeda and the group. It gave me the confidence to move forward. I learned about the physical, mental and spiritual changes that occur during menopause and it all made so much sense. My relationship with myself has grown and I understand so much more now. I feel positive and very optimistic about the future.

    Sinead

  • Attending this 6 week course was a hugely empowering experience. knowledge and education is certainly power. Meeting other women all in the same phase of life supporting one another was fantastic. I learned I have the power and strength to tackle, control and handle my menopause journey my way. I would hghly recommend this course so much. It has enabked me to move forward.

    Gay

  • Before I met Breeda and started this course, I never had a serious conversation about menopause with anyone. I had very little knowledge about menopause. It is either an embarrassing or a comical subject for conversation. Attending the cafes and 6-week course has been life changing. I now know so much more about menopause and understand myself so much better. I have become more pro-active with my health and am looking forward to the next phase of my life. Every woman deserves this information.

    Elaine

  • Breeda has a great way of imparting information. I really enjoyed the 6-week programme and would highly recommend it to any woman who may be curious about what menopause is really all about.

    Ger