A Points of Light prize for Rachel
Perth woman meets PM
A Perth woman was called to an awards ceremony in Downing Street on Monday for how she’s helped women to talk about the menopause.
Prior to Rachel Weiss founding Menopause Cafe in Perth, few words were ever publicly spoken about a key stage in every female person’s life.
Now, in salute to Rachel’s ‘daring’ concept of offering a way to meet up to talk about everyday problems and solutions to - living with the menopause, on August 13 she was given a Points of Light Award by the Prime Minister, Theresa May.
Details of how to organise a menopause cafe are being explored by women globally through www. menopausecafe.net - and all because last year Rachel Weiss, managing partner at Rowan Consultancy in Perth, wanted to normalise the reality of millions of other women reaching their years of ‘change’.
Menopause Café is now a registered charity, run entirely by volunteers and in it’s first 12 months of activity , volunteers were inspired to host over 38 events in Scotland, England and Canada, with almost 500 attendees.
Social media is alive with messages from women looking for frank discussion and understanding.
The cafes tackle taboos and myths, offering signposts for further support available locally.
Rachel Weiss And yesterday, as evidence that Menopause Cafe events have been taken up by women across the nation and the world, a Menopause Cafe took place in London’s Trafalgar Square.
Women in Dundee get together to discuss menopause on August 16 and Newport in Wales gets focused on flushes on August 18.
Rachel Weiss is the latest recipient of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.
The BBC’s Kirsty Wark has stepped up to be Menopause Cafe’s patron, and with Rachel launched a ‘Menopause Festival’ featuring discussions and support.
Events in Ireland, Australia and the USA are being planned by Rachel.
She said: “I’m delighted to have received a Points of Light award, on behalf of all the volunteers at Menopause Cafe.
“I’ve loved reading the stories of the other Points of Light volunteers - every day around us ordinary people are giving up their own time and resources to make the world a better place. And my one small part in that was, a year ago, in Perth, Scotland, I held the world’s first Menopause Cafe, where any one can turn up, drink tea, eat cake and talk about the menopause, men and women, old and young.”
In a personal letter to Rachel, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “With the ‘Menopause Cafe’ you have helped start an important conversation amongst men and women, young and old across Scotland, the UK and internationally. Through your hard work hundreds of people have gained greater knowledge and gained confidence to hold conversations about the menopause.”
Roseanna Cunningham, MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, and Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire both sent Rachel warm congratulations.
Ms Cunningham said: “Rachel has long been an active and positive contributor to her local community, through a variety of groups and organisations.
“With the ‘Menopause Cafe’ that drive and energy has been given a global impact. She truly is a Point of Light and very worthy indeed of celebration.”