At Carnival UK we want everyone to be able to talk about menopause openly and for our colleagues to be able to access the right support if they need it. Even if you aren’t going through menopause yourself, you probably have colleagues, friends and family who are going through it. Read more about the menopause and the support available.
Meet our CUK Menopause Champions
Meet our Menopause Champions – a group of volunteers from across CUK who are here to ensure our colleagues are supported as they transition through menopause.
If you’re struggling with your menopause symptoms, you can reach out to any of our champions for a non-judgemental conversation. They can signpost you to professional support if needed, or self-help strategies. Some of our champions have also been through the menopause themselves.
Nicole Dawson
My name is Nicole I’ve been at CUK since November 2022. I work in the Occupational Health and Wellbeing Team. I’m passionate about helping people and I’m also a Mental Health First Aider. I am currently going through the perimenopause, so I know about the challenges we can face but also how we can support each other. I run the Menopause Cafés at Carnival House and online, but I am so pleased to be joined by a group of equally passionate Menopause Champions to help support anyone who needs it.
This time of our life can be challenging but I’ve found by talking, being honest about my symptoms and finding out more about menopause, it has helped me greatly. Please do get in touch if you would like to chat.
Elaine Hutton
Growing up, ‘girls’ problems’ were exactly that. Nowadays, women’s health issues are no longer taboo. Of the 13 million menopausal women in the UK, four and a half million make up the fastest-growing demographic in the workplace. And nine out of 10 say menopause has adversely affected their work.
Davina McCall’s documentary ‘Sex, Mind and the Menopause’ revealed nearly 85% of women said there was nobody to turn to at work about their problems – and 10% had even quit their job as a result. Luckily, at CUK our health and well-being, gets the time and attention it deserves.
Our menopause champions and café promote awareness and offer a friendly, supportive space to share and learn the latest news and views.
I joined CUK in April 2021 as a copywriter for P&O Cruises. As a volunteer on the Charity Partnership Team I helped raise £20,000 for a worthy local cause. Now, I’d like to help others understand and embrace this phase of life as confidently and comfortably as possible.
Kirsty Arnold
My name is Kirsty and I have been at CUK since January 2023. I work in Guest Experience and look after environment and sustainability within hotel operations. I am passionate about reducing the stigma of menopause and mental health – talking is good and it’s OK not to be OK. I am also a Mental Health First Aider.
I hope that by being a Menopause Champion I can bring awareness of menopause to those affected as well as their family members. 9 million women aged 40-60 are currently experiencing the menopause, so someone knows someone who is going through this now!
Please do get in touch if you would like to chat.
Sarah Congdon
Hi, I am Sarah and have worked for CUK just shy of 24 years. I am part of the Accounts Receivable team in Finance.
I wanted to become a Menopause Champion as I feel every journey is different, but what helps the most is support and guidance, as well as talking and sharing experiences. I am also a Mental health First Aider and feel that the two things can be linked together.
I am based in Carnival House five days a week, so please feel free to pop over for a chat.
Caroline Martin
Hello, I am Caroline and have worked at CUK for over 6 years, I am based within our CCO as a Guest Relations, Team Leader a few years ago I began having conversations with friends and colleagues about menopause and how this was impacting me, I had very little knowledge or support at that time to navigate this new experience. As a mum of 5 I had finally reached a point in my life where I could truly focus on my career then I found myself struggling with working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment which I never had before.
I hope that by being a Menopause Champion l can help support colleagues to navigate their menopause journey in a way that they feel comfortable with. I am a firm believer in meeting a challenge head on and the way to do that is by arming yourself with as much knowledge as possible. The monthly café is a great way to meet and share with others.
I am currently hybrid so in the office two days a week. Please reach out if you would like to chat.