We are a small group of dedicated volunteers who passionately support women through all stages of menopause. We offer Information and Support group meetings for women in Shaftesbury, Sturminster Newton and Gillingham, One to One Support, Couples Guidance and Educational Talks for everyone in the local area of North Dorset. Our founder, Rowan Chambers, utilises her own lived experience of perimenopause and holds formal qualifications on menopause care with The International Menopause Society and Newson Health Menopause Society. She has certification in counselling, nutrition and wellbeing and has completed Enhanced Suicide Awareness and Prevention training with NHS Dorset. All board members are from the local communities with a shared investment in women's health.

The menopause support and information benefits all residents, charities, community groups, businesses, marginalised communities and health care professionals. The Menopause Information and Support Group Meetings have continued to be an essential service for women of all ages and stages of menopause, providing a safe and welcoming space for women to meet, share experiences and gain valuable information. The introduction of themed talks and guest speakers has proved popular and this support within the community and education provided is thriving and growing in attendance.

We offer a safe and friendly place for women who feel distressed, confused and alone when menopausal or those who are looking for more information on perimenopause, menopause and the post menopausal years. Women can share experiences, gaining strength and comfort by meeting others experiencing a similar change in life and challenges with the menopause transition. They emerge with positive solutions, evidence-based information and new friends, and they are not facing this challenge on their own.

We continue to provide menopause talks in the community to private and community groups, businesses and organisations to give education about menopause, provide support and raise awareness to help early self-diagnosis and reduce unnecessary suffering and possible referrals to secondary care.
We feel the need for more education around the menopause transition and the psychological impact it can have on women is crucial. Unfortunately, GP’s have no formal comprehensive training in menopause, and when women are experiencing acute stages of mental health challenges reach out for help, the appropriate care isn’t easily accessible within primary care. This can lead to extreme distress, suffering, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness and suicidal ideation for many. The rates of suicide and attempted suicide in women are highest between the ages of 45-55 (Dorset Mind) With the average age of menopause at 51 this is not a coincidence, and our aim is to prevent suicide attempts in women during this time and save lives.

Dorset Menopause Support fundamentally helps more women reach their full potential, by raising awareness and supporting them at the earliest stage. Women who receive the right support and manage their symptoms well are happier, healthier and have renewed confidence and vitality to reach their potential both professionally and personally. The inequality in women's health care has for too long been ignored, and this is addressed directly with the menopause support on offer, where there is little knowledge and understanding. Both personal relationships and those within the workplace and community are strengthened and improved. Dorset Menopause Support works on a preventative approach to health, encouraging women to address their lifestyle choices in midlife, including nutrition, stress, sleep, exercise and approaching their GP for appropriate treatment.

The team goes into the North Dorset communities to raise awareness by attending health events, holding social, health and wellbeing events and running fundraising events, always listening and learning from their interactions. The services were initially modelled on what the founder would have hoped to have been offered when she was in need of support. Impact and insight are highly valued and are used to constantly review and evaluate our programmes, allowing for co design of services.  Learning more from women than any textbook! Rowan raises awareness of menopause support with health care professionals and is Third Sector Menopause Ambassador for the Women’s Health Strategy NHS Dorset Virtual Health Hub. In April 2025 she attended the Stakeholder Event to celebrate the launch of the Dorset Women’s Health website and was a speaker on the menopause expert panel.

Our Facebook community has grown from strength to strength and allows women access to a huge library of menopause information and education as well as being able to post questions or share their worries at any time. This has proved to be an essential lifeline for many women and has developed into a wonderfully supportive safe space. We have members from far and wide across the south west and other parts of the UK.  We strongly believe that nobody should feel like they have nowhere to turn for help during the challenges of menopause.