A HOUSING group that covers both Romsey and Winchester has been named as a finalist in two menopause award categories ahead of the MP for Romsey leading a debate in Parliament.

Aster Group, a housing business, has been shortlisted for two categories as an accredited menopause friendly employer.

Organised by Menopause Friendly and supported by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) the inaugural Menopause Friendly Employer Awards attracted more than 85 entries across 10 categories.

Aster Group was named as a finalist for the Best Support Group, while health and wellbeing lead advisor Julie Cridland has been shortlisted for the Community Award.

The group, that was one of the first UK businesses to named as menopause friendly, builds homes in areas such as Romsey and Winchester.

Hampshire Chronicle:

The award results will be announced on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in London.

READ MORE: Romsey businesswoman hosts meetings for women experiencing menopause at Lemon & Jinja - and she has plans for a menopause festival

An individual who has been the biggest support either for people with menopause in the workplace or by leading the charge in making their organisation menopause friendly will take home the community award.

Julie said: “I’m thrilled we’ve been shortlisted for our work on menopause. Listening to people really matters and it was the bravery of a few ladies quietly whispering, “please help us,” that started this whole journey four years ago. Some people will tell you what they need, and some will just tell you how they feel, and my role has been to unpick that and create interventions that have made real a difference.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

Aster were one of the first UK businesses to receive the Menopause Friendly Employer status.

The company’s menopause support programme introduced initiatives designed for the needs of various groups of employees - whether they were experiencing menopause themselves, supporting someone else, or just wanted to be better informed.

Meanwhile, the ‘hot topic’ discussion group and regular sofa sessions provide a space for people to come together and hear from local menopause experts.

Rachel Credidio, chief transformation officer at Aster Group, said: “We recognise that half of our workforce will experience this life changing event and to be open and honest, and create a community where colleagues can get support, knowing they are not alone is important to us.”

Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in The Workplace, said: “The standard of work and level of activity demonstrated by entrants to the first-ever Menopause Friendly Employer Awards has been really high.

“It was an absolute pleasure to join the independent judging panel as they reviewed each application and to see the passion, dedication and commitment of these inspirational organisations and people to change the lived experience of menopause in their workplace.

"Not long ago, menopause was so clearly a taboo in the workplace: now we’re preparing to host this prestigious Awards event to celebrate the achievements and progress being made in this area: it’s wonderful.

The award announcements precede Romsey MP, RT Hon Caroline Nokes leading a debate on menopause in the workplace in Parliament on Thursday, September 8.

SEE ALSO: Romsey MP Caroline Nokes leads menopause debate in Parliament following report from the Women and Equalities committee

The discussion at Westminster Hall will explore the recent report by the Women and Equalities Select Committee which Nokes chairs.

The local political figure hopes to push the issue of making employers more menopause friendly to the newly appointed Prime Minister, Liz Truss.