Employees at Avondale Foods in Craigavon have taken part in a dedicated menopause awareness workshop, bringing greater understanding of menopause and its impact into the workplace.
The Northern Ireland food manufacturer invited Anne McGale, RGN, women’s health nurse, menopause awareness trainer and founder of Menopause Wellbeing NI, to deliver a 2.5-hour Menopause Awareness Workshop designed to give employees a clearer understanding of the menopause transition and its potential impact both in and outside the workplace.
The session formed part of Avondale Foods’ wider commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of its workforce. The Craigavon-based family business employs more than 700 people and develops and manufactures fresh food products for leading retailers across the UK and Ireland.
Anne McGale’s comprehensive workshop, which has been delivered extensively across Northern Ireland, explored the physical, psychological and emotional symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause, alongside practical approaches that can help women manage symptoms and make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.
Importantly, the training was not aimed solely at women. A key part of workplace menopause awareness is ensuring that male colleagues, managers and wider teams understand what menopause can involve and how informed, supportive conversations can make a significant difference to colleagues experiencing symptoms.
Anne McGale said: “I am delighted to see Avondale Foods making such a proactive investment in menopause awareness and in the wellbeing of its employees. Giving women good, evidence-based information can help them understand what they are experiencing, advocate for themselves and have more confident conversations about the support they may need.
“Just as importantly, menopause awareness should never be a conversation involving women alone. Educating men and helping them understand the symptoms and challenges that colleagues, partners and family members may experience is an important part of removing stigma and creating a more informed and supportive workplace culture.
“It was a pleasure to work with the Avondale team and I am delighted to have been invited back to continue that conversation.”
The workshop has already drawn positive feedback from employees. Avondale Foods said its team had received a lot of positive feedback about the session, which covered the menopausal transition as well as the role that cognitive behavioural therapy and holistic approaches can play in supporting wellbeing.
The company has now invited Anne McGale to return to continue delivering menopause awareness and workplace wellbeing insights to more employees, with the next session scheduled for 15 October 2026.
The return visit reflects a growing recognition among employers that menopause is not simply a private health matter. For women experiencing symptoms during their working lives, greater understanding among colleagues and managers can help create an environment in which they feel better equipped to seek information, discuss appropriate support and remain confident at work.
For Anne McGale, who has delivered menopause awareness training and a more intensive CBT 6 week programme, to corporate, public-sector, educational and community organisations across Northern Ireland and Ireland, the aim is practical: replacing uncertainty and stigma with knowledge, understanding and better conversations.
Avondale Foods’ decision to continue the programme means those conversations will remain firmly on the workplace agenda in Craigavon.
For more information on Menopause Awareness training visit menopausewellbeingni.com
Menopause Awareness Trainer, Anne McGale, RGN, Bsc (hons) Health Sciences, is a women’s health nurse with over 40 years’ experience and founder of Menopause Wellbeing NI, i
