£1.97 million awarded to support women in the workplace

16 organisations in England have been awarded a share of £1.97 million government funding to support women experiencing reproductive health issues in the workplace.

Funds will support organisations supporting women to remain in or return to the workplace through and following pregnancy, pregnancy loss or menopause.

Linking in with the development of the government’s Women’s Health Strategy, this funding award aims to support organisations that can provide a holistic support offer to assist women experiencing reproductive health issues – for example, menopause, fertility problems, miscarriage and pregnancy loss, menstrual health, and gynaecological conditions – to remain in and return to the workplace.

Charitable organisations benefiting from the fund include North-west based mental health charity Mind, as well as national charity Tommy’s which will be developing free resources for small and medium-sized enterprises in both Manchester and Birmingham to better meet employees’ needs through pregnancy journeys, including miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and other complications.

Minister Helen Whately said:

“We are supporting women experiencing reproductive health issues – such as pregnancy loss or menopause – to remain in or return to the workplace through the Health and Wellbeing Fund.

“We have already put women’s health at the top of the agenda by publishing the first ever Women’s Health Strategy for England, but there’s always more that can be done.

“The contribution that the VCSE sector makes towards improving health and care is invaluable, and improves the health of thousands of women.”

The funding announcement demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving the health of women through the first-ever Women’s Health Strategy, a landmark moment in addressing entrenched inequalities, and improving the health and wellbeing of women across the country.

Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England, said:

“The VCSE sector makes a significant contribution towards improving health and care, and these projects will help deliver some of the important commitments set out in the Women’s Health Strategy for England.

“The sector brings a wealth of understanding of the impact on people’s lives, including those from disadvantaged groups, helping us provide positive support to even more women wanting to remain in and return to the workplace.”