A female health and fitness coach from Liverpool has expanded her business by launching a free menopause café.
Based at Olives Cafe on Moss Lane, Huyton-born Juanita Steel’s new venture allows women to meet like minded people to “socialise, off load, seek advice and encourage each other” while enjoying a cuppa and a bite to eat.
Juanita runs Steel Fitcamps where she has helped thousands of local women to reach their health and fitness goals. She’s hoping her new menopause café will help women realise that they’re not alone and provide a safe space for them.
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Speaking to the ECHO, Juanita said: “I went through menopause surgically five years ago and there wasn’t anything like this available for women to chat openly with other women. There was a huge gap educationally and support wise for women to tap into.
“They can expect a community of like minded women all on a similar journey. The women will learn about all topics relevant to the menopause and there will be a different discussion lead by me each week which will cover what happens to us during the menopause, including the symptoms, hormones, nutrition, lifestyle, the workplace, relationships and much more.
“The women will receive free refreshments and on the weeks when a holistic therapist comes in then the women can have a free mini treatment. I hope those who attend leave feeling supported, heard and loved. I want each woman to gain confidence, self esteem and a voice so that she doesn’t suffer in silence anymore. I want her to know she is not alone and we are there to support her.”
Juanita, who has recently released an interactive menopause ebook ‘ The Menopause Makeover ’, opened the menopause café on June 9. She continued: “The response has been incredible. I’ve had messages from women from Glasgow, Glossop, Yorkshire and all over Merseyside saying that they would love this where they live. Who knows, we may have to hit the road with it!
“There needs to be more women receiving this kind of support for free in the community so that all menopausal women have access. My goal is to have doctors referring menopause women to our café so that they can join an army of women who will be able to support them.
“Children in schools need to be taught about it. Men need to be educated on it. More workplaces need to have menopause policies and champions in place. I would also love to see free menopause cafés pop up all around the country. All of the above are part of the greater picture of the menopause café which I hope will become something much bigger offering all the above services in one place.”
You can find out more information about the menopause café on Juanita’s website here and can follow her Facebook page here and Instagram page here. The menopause café is based at Olives Cafe, 60 Page Moss Lane, Huyton, L14 0LX.
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