Menopause Goals at Spartans

‘Celebrating the Second Half‘

There are around 400,000 women in Scotland who are of menopausal age. Too many of them will feel like they are alone.

For some it’s still a taboo subject which can lead to a lack of discussion and understanding. Every area of their life impacted and, often, left with crippling social isolation.

Menopause Goals is a pilot programme that aims to harness the power of football to help – thanks to a collaborative effort from the Scottish FA, St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation, University of Glasgow, and menopause expert Maria Anderson.

The initial 12-week course – held at St Mirren Park – saw 25 local women, who each had to address a number of issues brought on by the menopause, report improvements with symptoms, a greater sense of empowerment and, overall, better mental health.

The plan is to roll the programme out across Scotland so it can be delivered by other football clubs and charity groups – and it’s coming to Spartans here in North Edinburgh this month (see poster).

Corrie Campbell (Scottish FA, Football Social Responsibility Officer) explained: “So far, the power of football has tackled a lot of issues, but menopause is one of the few remaining taboo subjects that impacts so many people.

“A lot of people are still embarrassed to talk about it, whether it’s in the workplace or within their own family and friendship groups.

“I think there’s a real opportunity for football clubs around Scotland to make a difference.

“We came together to form Menopause Goals because there’s a need for education and knowledge for women in Scotland and we’re really excited about it.

“The tagline is ‘celebrating the second half’ and we want to help provide the tools, knowledge and confidence so people know their life isn’t over when they’re perimenopausal or postmenopausal.

“The University of Glasgow’s research department conducted an evaluation of the project using various methodologies.

“The pilot spanned 12 weeks and involved 25 participants experiencing symptoms at different menopausal stages.

“The Menopause Goals leadership team – including Gayle Brannigan, Chief Executive of St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation, and our menopause expert, Maria Anderson – organised weekly in-person sessions, complemented by online resource sharing.

“The pilot aimed to enhance participants’ knowledge about menopause and their personal journeys, helping them comprehend the impact on their well-being, relationships, and professional lives.

“The research outcomes will pave the way for a resource that enables the implementation of similar programs in football clubs throughout Scotland.  This resource will also contribute to government objectives, given that menopause is a focal point in the Women’s Health Plan.

“Looking ahead, the objective is to leverage football’s influence. This innovative resource aims to educate and empower volunteers and staff within football across Scotland, providing them with tools and knowledge to support women gradually.

“The goal is to enable women to comprehend the complexities of menopause, fostering logical thinking about their body’s needs. By applying their learning in manageable steps, women can reduce symptoms, boost confidence to communicate with health professionals, and articulate their needs effectively.”