A Shropshire woman has launched a new business to offer mentoring, training and a support network for people going through the menopause.

Angela Loughlin has established Mbrace following her menopause journey and has already arranged a number of events, training and mentoring courses for people experiencing symptoms and employers who want to understand more about how to support their workforce.

The 47-year-old from Shrewsbury said she had launched the business in order to help others after previously becoming a menopause advocate trainer within the NHS and also failing to find the right, local support when she was going through the menopause.

She said Mbrace would become a one stop shop for support, holistic coaching, mentor courses for employers and a place for people to research and openly discuss symptoms and remedies.

Angela, founder of Shrewsbury-based Mbrace, said: “When the menopause crept up on me I was clueless as to what was happening. I knew the day would come and I expected hot flushes and mood swings but I was so wrong – the range of symptoms were so vast and so debilitating.

“The reality was that at 47 years old I no longer recognised myself – I was unable to function, let alone work.

“I spent hour upon hour researching and trying to find the answers – I was so desperate to get back to who I was before the symptoms started.

“After months of self care and the right treatment for me, I bounced back more determined than ever to make sure that others are supported and can access that support on a local level, whether that be an employer looking to learn how to support their staff to someone who feels lonely and has nobody to talk to.

“Following numerous menopause courses and now a qualification as a menopause holistic coach, Mbrace was born and it has already been hugely successful.”

Mbrace is hosting a series of events to bring together industry experts and one to one coaching to “educate, explore and share”.

The first workshop will be a collaboration with a wild swimming coach at Love2Stay in Shrewsbury, which will demonstrate the benefits of cold water swimming for women experiencing peri-menopause and menopausal symptoms.

To book a place visit https://www.love2stay.co.uk/activities/COLD-WATER-SWIMMING-WORKSHOP-FOR-WOMEN/EtNZr4WZ5V

Angela added: “Our conversations need to change – just like our hormones do. People going through the menopause are still trying to work at the pace they have done all of their life and run their family home and continue spinning all of those plates and their health and wellbeing has been ignored.

“Employers have said how they feel they would not know how to support a member of staff going through the menopause but it is great to hear they want to know how to change that.

“One of our mantras is that a hot flush in the boardroom should be fanned not shamed!”

Mbrace is hosting a free walk and talk event on the first Wednesday of every month at The Quarry in Shrewsbury from 10am to 11am where people can share their worries and challenges and enjoy a coffee together.

Other business plans include workshops, training courses and retreats, along with an annual event.

You can find out more and book a free place at the Walk and Talk monthly events at https://mbrace.me.uk/ and follow Mbrace on Facebook and Instagram @Mbracetalk

Pictured: Angela Loughlin.