“The Change Café is somewhere that people can come to engage in an open and honest conversation,” according to Eleanor Moore, Principal Community Worker, HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare.

A community-led initiative focused on women’s health and menopause, the Change Café was recently launched in the Ballyphehane Community Centre, Cork.

Eleanor is encouraging all who are interested in learning more about menopause and women’s health to join and avail of the free workshops: “The Change Café is run on the second Tuesday of every month from 7pm to 9pm, and features talks and workshops given by experts in the area of women’s health and menopause. The Café is open to all and is free to attend, with refreshments provided and the opportunity to ask questions and to share your experiences.”

Peer-support

Eleanor further outlined how, every month, they plan to “focus on talks and workshops given by people with specialist knowledge in the area of women’s health and menopause. This is an excellent example of community peer-support for women in a facilitated and inclusive space.” She added that “the Café will give people reliable and relevant information. It is designed to act as a dedicated space to allow people to ask questions in an open and receptive environment.”

The project is a collaboration between the HSE Cork South Community Work Department, the Ballyphehane Togher Community Development Project CLG, Ballyphehane/Togher Adult Education Provision CETB, and Cork City Partnership CLG.

Cork South Community Work Department, within the HSE, works to support the community and voluntary sector through the development of community-led health initiatives. This work strengthens the relationship between the HSE and the community, while localising HSE health strategies. Ballyphehane Togher CDP is an anchor community and voluntary service, which is well-established and trusted within the community. Cork South Community Work Department, Cork ETB and Cork City Partnership all work within the community to provide a number of services and supports.

The Change Café initiative has brought these agencies and organisations together, avoiding duplication of services and sharing valuable resources. The collaborative approach means that the expertise of the various organisations is shared and focused on the identified needs.

Upcoming Workshops:

• 9 July - Pelvic Floor Health
• 13 August - HSE Health Promotion
• 10 September - Community Pharmacist and Breast Health
• 8 October - The Sexual Health Centre
• 12 November - Women’s Health and Diet
• 10 December - Special Guest

More details are available from trionam.healy@hse.ie or 086 241 8963.