A new Bolton-based business has launched with a mission to make menopause support more accessible, approachable and visible within workplaces and local communities.
The Mobile Menopause Library and Training, founded by local resident Annette Aiken, offers a unique combination of menopause awareness training, educational workshops and a mobile lending library dedicated to perimenopause, menopause and women's health resources.
The business was created in response to the growing need for practical, trustworthy evidence-based support for people experiencing perimenopause and menopause, as well as employers seeking to better understand and support their workforce.
Unlike traditional training providers, The Mobile Menopause Library and Training combines education, awareness, conversation and community engagement with a welcoming, non-clinical approach.
The mobile library brings carefully selected books and resources directly into community venues and wellbeing spaces, creating safe environments where individuals can explore information at their own pace.
The workplace sessions provide affordable, stigma-free menopause support designed for real workplaces, not large corporate environments with extensive HR budgets. Through interactive and engaging conversations, employers gain the knowledge, confidence and reassurance needed to better support colleagues experiencing menopause. The sessions provide practical guidance that helps organisations create more inclusive workplaces, giving managers and employees greater peace of mind when navigating menopause-related challenges at work.
Annette Aiken, Founder of The Mobile Menopause Library and Training, said:
"Over 1 billion people worldwide have reached menopause and this figure is growing, yet many still feel isolated, misunderstood or unsure where to find reliable information and support, especially within the workplace. Every woman who lives long enough will experience menopause, meaning it directly affects around half of the world's population and indirectly affects families, workplaces and communities everywhere. I wanted to create something that feels human, accessible and supportive. My aim with the library is to help individuals feel informed and empowered. My work with workplaces will help them to build understanding and confidence around menopause conversations and resources."
The business delivers a range of services including menopause awareness workshops, manager training sessions, wellbeing talks, educational resources and appearances at community-based events.
Particular emphasis is placed on supporting small and medium-sized businesses, which often have limited access to specialist workplace wellbeing programmes.
As awareness of menopause continues to grow internationally, The Mobile Menopause Library and Training hopes to encourage more open conversations across Bolton and beyond.
As a Bolton resident, I founded The Mobile Menopause Library and Training after experiencing my own journey through perimenopause and menopause and recognising how difficult it can be to access clear, trustworthy information and support. Like many women, I found that menopause can affect every aspect of life, from confidence and wellbeing to work and relationships, yet it is still not talked about openly enough.
My lived experience inspired me to create something that would help other women feel less alone and better informed. I wanted to build a service that combines practical education with empathy and understanding, creating welcoming spaces where people can have honest conversations without fear of judgement.
Launching the business in Bolton is particularly important to me because this is my community.
I have a background in Public Health, Safeguarding and Anti-bullying which connects into my passion for helping local women, employers and families to gain a better understanding of menopause and creating a culture where support, awareness and open discussion become the norm rather than the exception.
Annette is currently seeking partnerships with local community venues, wellbeing centres, employers and organisations interested in hosting the mobile library or wanting awareness sessions for their workplace.
For more information, visit www.mobilemenopauselibrary.co.uk or contact Annette Aiken at [email protected] for further information.