My name is Tina Cleveland I am the founder member of Gorleston Menopause Mayhem and also a writer.
I started the group back in 2022 after coming out of lockdown. I was menopausal and struggling; I guessed I wasn’t the only one.
I started the group after getting lots of positive feedback on Facebook about starting a group. Morrisons contacted me and asked if I wanted to use their Cafe for the meetings.
Unfortunately, it wasn't a big success with only one lady turning up and she was from Norwich and ran her own group. I didn't give up, and settled at Gorleston Library for the next two years. As the Library shut at 7pm it was obvious I was missing lots of ladies.
After talking to some of the ladies who attended, I decided to set the group up as a Constituted Group with 5 committee members and we decided to move to Gorleston Pavilion, which is where we currently reside. They have been brilliant and so supportive.
Each month we have guest speakers, who range from GP's to hairdressers, each offering advice on menopause and women's health. On average, 30 ladies attend each meeting. We are also asked by various organisations to attend and speak to staff. The group has gone from strength to strength, with lots of positive feedback. Our motto is that if just one lady takes something away from our meetings, then it's job done.
We also run a Buddy Scheme for ladies who are not confident walking in on their own. If they phone me, then one of the committee members meets them outside and sits them next to someone who will make them feel relaxed.
The meetings are relaxed and held in the bar. We always have a laugh with no subject off limits.
If you would like to know more, then check out Gorleston Menopause Mayhem on Facebook or our website at gorlestonmenopausemayhem.co.uk