Project designed to tackle the “taboo”

Rotherham United Women Football Club and Rotherham United Community Trust are working in partnership to deliver the project which offers a holistic approach to wellbeing including exercise, fitness, diet, advice and information, and social networking.

The project, funded by Sport England, is also supported by Voluntary Action Rotherham and primary care network link workers at GP surgeries across the borough.

Emma Schofield, health and wellbeing manager at the trust, said: “It is recommended by the NHS that women going through the menopause should take exercise regularly, including weight-bearing activities where your feet and legs support your weight, like walking, running or dancing.

“Regular exercise will reduce weight gain and loss of muscle mass, which are two frequent symptoms of menopause due to women dropping exercise.

“Talking to local women going through the menopause they mention they lose motivation and that their physical activity level goes down.”

The project will be launched on Thursday, September 14 at New York Stadium with two events – one at 10am to 11.30am and the second from 5.30pm-7.30pm.

Emma said: “We will be offering a wide range of different types of dance sessions, considering age and mobility, from beginner's dance and movement sessions, to zumba, tap dancing, jazz, modern, and hip hop.

“We want also to reduce the taboo of menopause among all women, so they feel able to talk about it.

“It can be an isolating and lonely time so we want to bring women together and create a social network.”