Hello, my name is Rowan, and I wanted to explain how I'm trying to help within my community.
Until recent years, I have had a career within the equestrian industry for over 30 years, training and competing horses and coaching riders.
The change in my life happened after my own experiences of perimenopause and menopause, and the struggle I had to find the right information and help I needed. Now I feel passionately about trying to help other women in similar circumstances, and the wish to improve knowledge around menopause.
After a huge amount of research and re training, I have been offering support, guidance and education on menopause locally, to raise awareness and help early diagnosis.
I have set up 'Dorset Menopause Support' as a Social Enterprise and hope it will evolve into a CIC or Charity in the future, so it can further benefit the community.
I would like to develop a Menopause Centre for Dorset, South Wiltshire and South Somerset. This will be in the form of converting one of my outbuildings into a designated space, so I can continue to offer support in a secluded and peaceful setting.
This will also enable more group meetings to take place, and it would accommodate visits from other therapists.
And.....with alot of dedication and determination I eventually want to be able to offer a Menopause Clinic with specialist treatment from a Health Care Professional with training in menopause and prescription medication.
I realise only too well that many women are still struggling to receive the treatment and care they need. The current waiting times after a referral to a Menopause Specialist Clinic on the NHS are between 16 months and 2 years. I find this unacceptable, as some women develop intrusive or suicidal thoughts, so felt the need to act. I am hoping that a Clinic here will not only provide a much shorter waiting time but also much more affordable than many private clinics, through fundraising events.