FW: Women's Health Champions Education Session
Thu, Nov 20, 2025

Summary:

The session focused on women's health issues throughout their life course, with Monica Fisk outlining the role of health champions as community advocates who promote open discussions and share information. She emphasized the importance of creating a supportive environment for women to discuss their health concerns without fear of judgment. Monica also highlighted the responsibilities of grant recipients, including the need for attendance reporting and feedback after activities, and encouraged participants to capture high-quality photos during events while ensuring consent, especially in sensitive settings.

Discussions included inquiries from Nicola Williams about the process for requesting clinicians for sessions and the availability of presentation materials. Monica confirmed that necessary resources would be provided and addressed the possibility of extending project deadlines due to a holiday. The conversation also touched on the broader scope of women's health beyond menstruation and menopause, with an emphasis on understanding menstrual issues and seeking help when necessary. Technical issues with video sharing were noted, but the focus remained on empowering women to seek support for heavy and painful periods, underscoring the critical role of healthcare professionals in this area.


Chapters & Topics:

Overview of Women's Health Champions Education Session
Monica Fisk introduced the session, highlighting the significance of addressing women's health issues such as menstruation, menopause, and pelvic health. She outlined the role of health champions in advocating for women's health, sharing accurate information, and fostering supportive community environments. Participants were encouraged to introduce themselves in the chat and to remain muted during the presentation.
* Strategies for effective communication and support for women experiencing health issues.
* Discussion on the role of Health Champions in promoting women's health issues.
* Importance of photo consent and guidelines for taking pictures during activities.

Key Strategies for Engaging Women in Health Conversations
Monica Fisk highlighted the challenges women face when discussing health issues, often feeling dismissed by healthcare professionals. She outlined key strategies for health champions, including using inclusive language, asking open-ended questions, and avoiding judgmental responses. The focus is on fostering open conversations and providing resources for women to seek further help.

Best Practices for Event Photography and Consent
Monica Fisk provided guidelines for taking effective event photos, recommending that images should clearly depict participants involved in activities rather than just posed shots. She addressed questions from Nicola Williams regarding photo consent, noting that individuals should have the option to decline sharing their images, especially on social media. Fisk also emphasized the importance of adhering to school policies when photographing children.

Guidelines for Clinician Engagement and Social Media Use
Nicola Williams raised several questions regarding the logistics of organizing sessions, including the need for clinicians and the use of NHS logos. Monica Fisk clarified that while clinicians are not mandatory, they can assist in sessions, and that information from the provided pack should be used for promotional materials. Fisk also mentioned that they would send out a spreadsheet for session details and clinician requests.

Updates and Queries on Women's Health Champions Project
Monica Fisk indicated that the slides and materials would be sent out by early next week. EMC32 raised questions about project timelines and the necessity of using specific photo consent forms, which Monica agreed to clarify. Additionally, Senjuti from Bija Dance mentioned the availability of videos and pictures from their activities, which were welcomed by Monica.

Understanding Women's Health: Menstruation, Menopause, and Pelvic Health
Nicola Williams discussed the broader scope of Women's Health, focusing on menstruation, menopause, and pelvic health. She pointed out that many women experience significant challenges related to their menstrual cycles, including heavy bleeding and pain, which can hinder their daily activities. Williams stressed the need for education on what constitutes a normal period and when to seek medical advice.

Technical Difficulties and Discussion on Women's Health Issues
Nicola Williams experienced technical difficulties while sharing a video, which Monica Fisk pointed out had no sound but included subtitles. The conversation shifted to the importance of addressing heavy and painful periods, with Nicola emphasizing that women should not have to endure these issues without support. Questions from attendees included topics like mood swings and the role of pharmacists in women's health.
* Resources and support available for participants to enhance their activities and outreach.


Action Items:

* Monica Fisk will share a spreadsheet for participants to input the dates and types of activities planned for their grants.
* Monica Fisk will send out a photo consent form for participants to use when taking pictures during their activities.
* Monica Fisk will take feedback from the communications team about providing a social media template for participants to promote their events.
* Monica Fisk will ensure that the slides and additional information are sent out to participants by Monday or Tuesday next week.
* Monica Fisk will check with the communications team regarding the use of a photo consent form for participants.


Key Questions:

* What happens if a participant cannot get full photo consent in a school setting?
* What should participants do if they cannot get a clinician to attend their sessions?
* Do participants need to use NHS logos or pre-approved leaflets for their sessions?


Notepad:

* No notes