Joined Up Care Derbyshire wins Menopause Friendly employer award

Joined Up Care Derbyshire, the Derby and Derbyshire health and social care partnership for adults and children, has won the Most Inclusive Menopause Friendly Employer Award at the prestigious 2023 Menopause Friendly Employer Awards

Hosted by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace and powered by headline sponsors HSBC UK, first direct, M&S Bank and Peppy, the industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Employer Awards were presented by broadcaster Louise Minchin on Thursday September 14, 2023 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. Over 350 guests gathered there while another 250 joined virtually from across the country.

Now in its second year, the 2023 Menopause Friendly Employer Awards recognise organisations and individuals whose commitment and determination have succeeded in providing support, solutions and resources that normalise menopause in the workplace. Two new categories this year celebrated the work of SMEs and organisations fully embracing diversity and inclusion.

The extensive range of winners included a government department and high street bank alongside a football club, university and telecoms giant. They were judged by the Menopause Friendly Independent Panel who were looking particularly for the impact achieved within the workplace.

The Most Inclusive Menopause Friendly Employer was a new category for this year and attracted a large number of applications from organisations who shared how they ensure menopause is an all-colleague consideration. There were excellent examples of how all communities within the workplace can come together to better understand and best support menopause. Entrants displayed great intersectional activity that engaged a wide range of groups and communities impacted by menopause at work.

The finalists alongside Joined Up Care Derbyshire in the Most Inclusive Menopause Friendly Employer category were BAE Systems, Colt Technology Services, HSBC UK | first direct | M&S Bank and Moody’s Corporation.

Joined Up Care Derbyshire delighted the Independent Panel with its rich understanding of menopause inclusivity in the workplace. Of special note is the Menopause Inequalities Programme which seeks to better understand and support the impact of ethnicity and diverse gender identities. 

By collaborating with Equality, Diversity and Inclusion staff networks, the organisation ensured they gained a rich understanding of their colleagues’ needs. Understanding their workforce, Joined Up Care Derbyshire created two menopause support networks for their ethnically diverse and LGBTQ+ colleagues, along with BAME online menopause cafes. 

Working with a range of partners and expert practitioners and organisations, Joined Up Care Derbyshire has created a comprehensive programme to educate and inspire health care professionals right across the Midlands. Ensuring they catered for their communities’ needs meant that their programme of activities really resonated with colleagues, resulting in thousands joining their events and subscribing to their newsletters. 

The Panel agreed that Joined up Care Derbyshire has successfully created an environment where all colleagues feel understood and heard and are fully engaged with their menopause journey. 

“We are delighted to receive the award for the Most Inclusive Menopause Friendly Employer, and we owe a huge amount to Nicola Bullen, Steph Taylor and the team, for driving our work in this area.  

Our colleagues across Derbyshire provide exceptional care to our patients every day and we are very proud of our efforts to ensure the impact which menopause can have on our colleagues is better understood, and to create safe and inclusive spaces for team members to come together and receive compassionate care and support.”

Caroline Wade, Senior Responsible Officer, JUCD Health and Wellbeing/ Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development, Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Joined Up Care Derbyshire was presented with its Award by sponsor Boots and No 7 Beauty Company.

“At Boots and No7 Beauty Company we see the incredible impact of providing support and empowerment to team members on their menopause journey in our stores and offices every day and this is why we are delighted to be sponsoring the Menopause Friendly Employer Awards again this year,” says Una Kent VP, ESG and DEI International at Boots. “The awards are a brilliant way of recognising and celebrating the amazing work organisations are doing to not only raise awareness, but also to create inclusive workplace cultures and communities where menopause can be discussed openly and those experiencing it can get the support they deserve.”

The full list of winners follows

To find out more visit: https://menopausefriendly.co.uk/awards/