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Owner of Pippa’s Pantry Sutton Bridge hosts coffee, cake and casual chat about women’s health issues ahead of World Menopause Day




Tears and giggles were shared at an informal event for women to discuss their health experiences ahead of today’s World Menopause Day (Friday, October 18).

Pippa Jones, who runs Pippa’s Pantry in Sutton Bridge, organised an evening of cake, cuppas and a chat about the menopause which is still considered a taboo subject.

Her Facebook post inviting women to the café proved popular with 15 attending and a visit from musical comedian Zeph Churchill, who broke the ice when she arrived wearing huge knitted breasts which she uses as a prop in her show Is It Me Or Is It Hot In Here?

Zeph Churchill and Pippa Jones and the group of women shared tears and giggles during the evening. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Zeph Churchill and Pippa Jones and the group of women shared tears and giggles during the evening. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

Pippa said: “We had a lovely time sitting together in a big circle and talking about our experiences.

“It was really nice to have a cup of tea and chat in a safe space.

“There were tears and giggles as we talked about weak bladders and hot sweats.”

Zeph Churchill broke the ice with her huge knitted breasts prop at Pippa's Pantry. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Zeph Churchill broke the ice with her huge knitted breasts prop at Pippa's Pantry. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

Zeph Churchill is a former nurse specialising in women’s health issues and is currently touring her hilarious hit show - an educational comedy about menopause and breast cancer awareness.

She said: “It was great to have so many women together talking openly about menopause.

“It normalises a very normal life stage while supporting each other through conversations and a lot of laughter - and a lot of cake.

Zeph Churchill is currently touring with her show Is It Me Or Is It Hot In Here? PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Zeph Churchill is currently touring with her show Is It Me Or Is It Hot In Here? PHOTO: SUBMITTED

“Well done Pippa for hosting it and I hope there are more meetings which could be rolled out to other ‘cakey’ spaces across the county.”

The event happened ahead of World Menopause Day - which brings global awareness about the subject - allowing the group to talk about their symptoms and be signposted for help and advice.

Marie Fuller, an advanced nurse practitioner and army nurse veteran who runs Elysiphi, a clinic in Long Sutton, attended the evening to offer her knowledge.

Second right Pippa Jones next to Zeph Churchill at the informal event talking about menopause. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Second right Pippa Jones next to Zeph Churchill at the informal event talking about menopause. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

She said: “What Pippa has done is an amazing job and it was really enriching to spend the time with them.

“Pippa is an advocate for so many things in the community.

“There are so many myths around menopause so to arrange this in a non healthcare setting where women can feel comfortable is really valuable.”

Pippa Jones and Marie Fuller at a Macmillan Coffee Morning. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Pippa Jones and Marie Fuller at a Macmillan Coffee Morning. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

Marie’s background in women’s sexual health allowed accurate information to be shared and the group was signposted to online apps Rock My Menopause and The Balance.

One of the common themes discussed was frustration with GP visits about menopause with women only given 10 minutes to discuss it and two-week waiting lists.

Issues they raised centred around needing to see a medical professional with specific menopause knowledge rather than being assessed as depressed and given antidepressants when they may need HRT.

Some experiences included feeling suicidal, aches and pains, hot flushes, bladder problems and ‘hating everybody’ but not knowing why.

The women have formed strong friendships from the debut session and booked as a group to see Zeph’s show Is It Me Or Is It Hot In Here? at the Guildhall in King’s Lynn on Saturday, November 16.

What do you think? Post your comments below…



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