Mid Devon Leisure is creating menopause champions to support women during this critical life stage

Mid Devon Leisure has launched an initiative focused on menopause education for both its trainers and members.

Despite around 13 million women in the UK estimated to be either perimenopausal or menopausal, stigma and misinformation is still an issue around this topic. Mid Devon Leisure has teamed up with menopause consultant, Amantha King, to launch an initiative to empower women about navigating this life stage, as well as upskilling trainers to confidently support them.

Mid Devon Leisure has collaborated with King to offer educational sessions to employees and two free public sessions at its leisure centres to give attendees an understanding of the menopause, including symptom management, relationship advice, mental health strategies and the benefits of exercise, showing how lifestyle adjustments that can improve quality of life.

The sessions also explored the latest research and developments in menopause care.

Nick Denslow, Mid Devon Leisure group fitness manager, says: “We’ve made impactful steps regarding menopause awareness, however, our efforts are not stopping there. We intend to bolster our education programme with Amantha, provide free resources and develop menopause awareness champions at each of our centres.”

McKinsey’s 2024 Future of Wellness Survey identified women’s health as a rising trend. To date the menopause has been an overlooked segment but women’s health products was one of the seven growth areas identified, with menopause and pregnancy-related products receiving the highest spend in this category.

Mid Devon Leisure runs three leisure centres: Culm Valley Sports Centre, Exe Valley Leisure Centre and Lords Meadow Leisure Centre.