We are proud to announce that Nottingham College has achieved the Menopause Friendly Accreditation.
This accreditation was established by Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace in 2021 to certify high standards and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace.
Industry-recognised and the only accreditation that sets clear standards which must be met, the Menopause Friendly Accreditation is truly meaningful and considered as the mark of excellence for menopause in the workplace.
Janet Smith, CEO and Principal, said:
"Nottingham College is committed to creating a menopause-friendly environment as part of our wider ambition, set out in our Strategic Plan, to foster an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive. This commitment recognises that wellbeing, inclusion and performance are intrinsically linked, and that supporting colleagues through all life stages is a shared responsibility.
“We are proud of our long-established Menopause Café which provides a safe space for staff to meet, share concerns, support one another and inform college policy. The college’s Wellbeing Strategy includes a dedicated Menopause Policy and Action Plan, which provides practical support, raises awareness and helps to normalise open conversations. Together, these initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to listening, learning and leading by example in creating a truly menopause-friendly environment.
“As a woman and leader in education, I know firsthand how profoundly menopause can impact wellbeing. Creating a compassionate and menopause-friendly environment matters to me because it affirms dignity, removes silent barriers, and allows colleagues and students to thrive at every stage of their lives."
Janet Smith, Principal and CEO
In order to achieve the Menopause Friendly Accreditation, Nottingham College was assessed by an independent panel and had to demonstrate evidence of its effectiveness in five key areas, namely: culture, policies and practices, training, engagement and working environment.
As part of their evaluation, the panel provided us with very positive feedback:
“The panel was fully supportive of the inclusive culture Nottingham College is fostering to support colleagues experiencing menopause. What stands out is the longevity and authenticity of the approach. This is not new work - it has been evolving since 2019 and continues to mature.
The Menopause Café model is a clear strength. It is more than a discussion space - it shapes policy, informs governance and reflects genuine colleague voice. The influence of the Café, including inspiring additional inclusion Cafés, signals meaningful cultural impact.”
As mentioned above, an example of this is our Café Connections programme, which began with the Menopause Café in November 2019. This safe, welcoming space encourages staff to ‘know their menopause’, have confident conversations, and build a legacy where no one feels unprepared for this transitional phase. We welcome everyone – regardless of age, gender, or stage of the journey. The Café offers a chance to share ideas, hear from guest speakers, and explore both medical and non-medical approaches to managing menopause, including physical health, nutrition, and emotional wellbeing.
A huge thank you to all 84 café members who made this possible by bringing to life courageous, supportive conversations that nurture awareness and connection.
The College’s holistic and personal approach to wellbeing was also highlighted by the panel:
“The person-centred approach to reasonable adjustments and the range of support infrastructure - including Mental Health First Aiders, Occupational Health and EAP provision - reflect a comprehensive wellbeing offer.”
Nottingham College has joined an elite group of menopause friendly accredited employers including FTSE100 companies to charities, public sector bodies to high street retailers and global banking groups to football clubs. All proudly display their badge to show they have made adjustments to their working environment and implemented practices to change the lived experience of menopause in their workplace.
