Two ladies have set up Waltham Forest’s first menopause café to help residents come together, share experiences and break the taboo of discussing menopause.

Open to both female and male participants of all ages, Menopause Café will be held on the last Wednesday of each month between 7pm - 9pm at the Arbeit Studios, High Road, Leyton.

The aim is to break down the taboo around menopause increasing awareness of the impact on those experiencing it, their family, friends and their colleagues, and reflecting on the ‘third stage of life’.

Jackie Grant, co-founder of the Waltham Forest café, said: “The Menopause Cafe philosophy was a concept that Ginette and I want to deliver in order to bring the community together to talk and discuss menopause in a safe environment but also having the openness for all inspired me to bring this to my local community. Our mission is to be able to make sure the cafe develops & spreads the word of menopause across the borough, so all have the chance to be supported.”

Ginette White, the other co-founder of the Waltham Forest café, said: “My mum never spoke about the menopause, so it was all bit of a surprise to me to start off with! I am lucky that in my role as a clinical reflexologist I know where to access useful data and how to look at proven research vs unproven, but what very much appeals to me about the Menopause Café is that it is real women talking directly with each other.

“It will be great to have a mix of people with those approaching the menopause, women in the midst of it and the warriors that have come out the other side to share experiences, and it will be brilliant if family members and friends could attend too, to better understand what the woman in their life is experiencing.”

The Menopause Café is free with a donation for tea and cake requested. Online booking is essential as there are limited places.

The café is first being held on Wednesday, January 29.