Page 16 - Federation magazine: October / November 2016

Force leads the way
with menopause
awareness training

The Force is spearheading a unique create a unique, ethical, development tool to do, what to say and how to provide the
initiative to encourage managers to built around the psychology of humour, appropriate help and support to a member
become more aware of the laughter and happiness. of staff presenting with menopause

symptoms of the menopause and the way Realising that comedy had impacted on symptoms,” says Lynda.

in which they affect women officers and her own life, she began to develop models As part of the action plan, staff are

staff. of thinking that could use these effects and being asked to complete a menopause

It is the first in the country to stage would be adaptable and used for personal survey which it is hoped will provide a

menopause awareness sessions led by and professional development. She baseline for the Force and help shape

laughology, a company which uses researched the underpinning psychology future delivery. There is also an intranet

alternative training techniques. behind humour, happiness and motivation site, a monthly support group and the Force

Four sessions, each for 50 people, were and designed cognitive and behavioural has representatives on the national

held over two days (Monday 12 September models to help people use these key skills. Menopause Action Group which is chaired

and Tuesday 13 September) with places The laughology training is, however, by Temporary Chief Constable Dee Collins

also being offered to managers from other just part of a Force drive to raise awareness from West Yorkshire.

forces and also the fire service. of the effects of the menopause and ensure Reasonable adjustment passports are

“We are the first force to deliver this that women officers are better supported. being used to help staff.

training,” says Inspector Lynda Bailey of “There is a strategic action plan and The Tonight programme is following

Force Contact who has arranged the ultimately we would like menopause to be the Force’s progress in this area and filmed

treated in the same way as pregnancy in in Force on 19 September to showcase
“training, “We chose laughology because
that it is the norm - everybody knows what what it is doing.
they provide an alternative approach to a
taboo subject. It’s a new approach for us We would like people to understand that
and steps away from the traditional menopause will affect every female in the
policing approach to training. workforce. The average age for the
“We hope the sessions will deliver
awareness to supervisors who will then be menopause in the UK is 51. There are at
able to deal with this issue in a way that
supports their staff and understand how

they can offer help and support. least 35 different symptoms. It is not just
“We would like people to understand “

that menopause will affect every female in about hot sweats. Even GPs often
the workforce. The average age for the misdiagnose issues around menopause
menopause in the UK is 51. There are at

least 35 different symptoms. It is not just and mental health is a big issue.
about hot sweats. Even GPs often

misdiagnose issues around menopause

and mental health is a big issue.”

Laughology began in 2006 when its

founder, Stephanie Davies, set out to

16 federation October/November 2016 www.westmidspolfed.com