Where To Find Free Menopause Support Events In Hull and East Yorkshire This October

Talking about the menopause can feel a bit... weird. It's one of those things that happens to roughly half the population, yet it's often surrounded by silence or awkward whispers. Hot flushes, mood swings, not feeling like yourself - it's a lot to handle, especially if you feel like you're going through it alone. But what if there was a way to change that? A project in East Yorkshire is doing just that, taking the conversation about the menopause journey out of the clinic and into the community, all centred around a big, vibrant pink sofa.

The Menopaus'ull Support Network, a project by the Neighbourhood Network, has kicked off a tour across Hull and the East Riding to provide free support and get people talking openly about this massive life stage. It's all part of the nationwide Menopause Awareness Month, with loads of activities planned to help women, their families, and their friends.

A sofa tour? what's that all about?

It sounds a bit different, doesn't it? A travelling sofa. But there's a brilliant idea behind it. Menopaus'ull is taking a vibrant pink sofa on a tour of public places like shopping centres and hospitals. The whole setup is styled like a cosy living room, creating a comfy, informal space where anyone can sit down and have a chat. They're calling it the 'hot seat' tour - a clever nod to one of the most well-known menopause symptoms. The point is to make these conversations less clinical and more, well, normal.

It's about creating a symbol of support that pops up where people are already going about their day. Think of it as a friendly invitation to talk, share experiences, and realise that you're not the only one feeling this way. This campaign aims to break down the stigma and make support visible and accessible for the entire community.

The main event in Hull this month

While the sofa tour is popping up all over, the main event is the Menopause Hull 2025 event. It's happening at Princes Quay on Saturday, 18th October, from 10:30 am until 2:30 pm. The best part? It's completely free, and there's no need to book - just turn up. This isn't just a few leaflets on a table. The day is packed with things designed to help people on their menopause journey. There will be expert speakers sharing proper advice, interactive demonstrations, and a whole host of exhibition stalls. It's a fantastic opportunity to get information from healthcare professionals and find out what local support is available.

Emma Hardy, the Hull West and Haltemprice MP who is co-hosting the event, is really behind it. She said: "This will be the fourth annual Menopause Hull event and I am delighted to see that it is becoming established as something which benefits not only women experiencing menopause but also partners, family members, friends, and healthcare professionals." She also highlighted how the event helps people connect with real support, adding, "We are making progress but every year so many people get in touch to say they joined support groups or accessed treatments as a result of things they learned at Menopause Hull. This is why it is so important that we continue the event."

Where you can find the hot seat

The 'hot seat' tour has already started, but there are still plenty of chances to catch it. The welcoming pink sofa is travelling around East Yorkshire, offering a place for supportive conversations and information. Here's where it's heading next:

• University of Hull - Friday, 24th October
• Queens Centre, Castle Hill Hospital - Monday, 27th October

These stops are brilliant because they take the support to different kinds of places - from the hustle and bustle of student life to healthcare settings where these conversations are so important. The whole month-long campaign is filled with activities like Menopause Cafes and talks, all aimed at showing that no one has to face menopause alone. The team is even meeting up with TV presenter and well-known menopause campaigner Davina McCall in York on Wednesday, 22nd October, to connect with the national movement.

Why this campaign is so important

It's easy to underestimate how many people are affected by menopause. Figures show that around 13 million people in the UK are currently perimenopausal (that's the stage leading up to menopause) or menopausal. That's about a third of all women in the country. With numbers that big, it's pretty shocking that it's still such a taboo topic. Lucy Carew and Sarah Weichardt, joint chief officers at Neighbourhood Network, explained that the programme of activities is all about raising awareness and providing that vital support.

Sarah said: "Menopause isn't something that only happens in October - we live with it every day. But Menopause Awareness Month gives us a louder platform to challenge stigma, share experiences, and remind women that support is out there. This year's line-up is our biggest yet, and we can't wait to welcome people to our events."

Lucy added: "This year's programme for Menopause Awareness Month is bolder and braver than ever before. We're looking forward to connecting with women across the county, especially those who may never have had the chance to talk openly about their menopause journey." It's this focus on open conversations that can make all the difference, creating a stronger community.

More than just a month of activities

While October is Menopause Awareness Month, the work Menopaus'ull does is year-round. The organisation is committed to making sure women feel informed and empowered through every single stage of their journey. The campaign this month just gives them a bigger platform to shout about the support available. It's a chance to reach new people and normalise the conversation in workplaces, community spaces, and healthcare settings.

Katie Winter, the Menopaus'ull project lead, really summed it up. She said: "Menopause effects every woman, yet it's still so often surrounded by stigma, overlooked and lacking in awareness. Our aim is to create understanding, support and community - not just during Menopause Awareness Month - so that every woman feels empowered, informed and connected through their menopause journey." It's about building something lasting that helps people long after the pink sofa has moved on.

Busting myths and getting expert advice

Let's be honest, there's a lot of confusing information out there about menopause. What should you eat? What about supplements? Are my hormones going wild? At the main Princes Quay event, there's a chance to get some clear answers. Hull-based healthcare company Wassen International is supporting the event, and their registered nutritionist, Victoria Malcolm, will be giving a talk called "Menopause Myths Busted: The Truth about Food, Hormones and Supplements".

The talk will cover how nutrition can help balance mood, sleep, and metabolism - all things that can go a bit haywire during menopause. Afterwards, people will have the chance to ask Victoria questions and even get a free consultation. Plus, everyone who attends the talk will get a free goodie bag with booklets about brain and skin health. It's a great chance to get reliable information from expert speakers and cut through the noise.