Wednesday October 7th 2026
Scottish Borders Council headquarters
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A cafe gathering at Borders General Hospital designed to support staff going through the menopause is being made available to the public for one day only.
October is Menopause Awareness Month, with Menopause Awareness Day on Sunday, October 18, focusing on chronic pain at mid-life.
To mark the occasion, NHS Borders is hosting a drop-in Menopause Café on Monday, October 19 in the hospital’s dining room from 9am to 1pm.
For more than two years, staff Menopause Cafés have provided a welcoming and supportive space where people can come together to share experiences of menopause and perimenopause, ask questions and realise they are not alone.
To mark Menopause Awareness Month, NHS Borders is opening the event to anyone interested in coming along including members of the public.
Supporting women to access the right information and support at the right time is also a key part of the health organisation’s clinical strategy.
Work is underway to develop a Women’s Health Hub that will help make support more joined up and easier to access, bringing services together so women can access the right support at the right time without having to navigate multiple services or repeatedly tell their story.
Previous attendees say the café has helped them feel more connected, given them confidence to seek support from their GP and improved understanding among colleagues, friends and family members.
Katie Finlay, Healthy Working Lives Adviser and the organiser of the Menopause Café, said: “One of the things that stays with me is how often people say, ‘I thought it was just me.’ While we’re hearing more about menopause and perimenopause than ever before, many people still feel alone with what they’re experiencing.
“Often, it’s not the physical symptoms that are hardest to talk about but the impact on mental well-being.
“The Menopause Café gives people the opportunity to talk openly, break down stigma, seek support and realise that they do not have to face these experiences alone.”
One past participant said: “Attending the Menopause Café reminded me how powerful it can be to come together and share experiences.
“It felt like a safe and comfortable space where we could speak openly about the realities of perimenopause and menopause without fear of being judged or dismissed.
“Listening to others and realising that many of us are facing similar challenges was both reassuring and empowering. I left feeling stronger, more connected and grateful for the support and understanding the group provides.”
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