Following a period of planning, co-design, and a successful pilot programme, Sporting Equals is pleased to announce the launch of the delivery phase of SEMenoFit.
This initiative is aimed at empowering ethnically diverse women experiencing symptoms of menopause and perimenopause, made possible through funding raised by players of Postcode Lottery.
SEMenoFit is designed to support women in building self-belief and increasing awareness of how physical activity can positively impact both physical and mental wellbeing. Through the programme we will be training women alongside offering physical activity opportunities attuned to the cultural barriers affecting ethnically diverse women.
What we have delivered so far
In October 2025, Sporting Equals hosted its SEMenoFit launch event in line with Menopause Awareness Month. The event featured panel discussions with menopause experts including Lavina Mehta MBE, personal trainer, speaker and author; Michelle Griffith Robinson, Olympian, life coach and women’s health advocate; and Dr Susan Waigwa, researcher at the University of Liverpool. The event also showcased a lived experience panel made up of three ethnically diverse women sharing their journeys through perimenopause and menopause. With over 50 registrations, the event welcomed influential leaders from the sport sector, women’s health and community leads to celebrate menopause awareness month and learn more about the programme model.
Alongside the event, Sporting Equals launched its online content campaign to provide further education around the symptoms, myths and experiences many women face during menopause. This can be found on our socials @sportingequals
What’s next
Following a pilot programme, we are now ready to launch the official delivery model with 7 delivery partners across London. Through this programme, over 300 women experiencing perimenopause and menopause will have the opportunity to access weekly physical activity sessions, whilst also benefiting from expert workshops on menopause education. The programme also encourages the creation of a supportive network where beneficiaries can share personal experiences of navigating perimenopause and menopause with the support of our Menopause Champions.
To ensure the long-term sustainability of the project, 30 individuals across the seven delivery partners will be upskilled as Menopause Champions. We have created bespoke training workshops to upskill women from the local communities to provide a support mechanism for sharing learning and encouragement to get beneficiaries involved and active. These champions will play a vital role in supporting participants by providing guidance, signposting services, and fostering safe spaces for open and honest conversations.
Research Partner
We are proud to be working alongside Women in Sport as our research partner. Women in Sport is a leading UK charity dedicated to creating positive lasting change for women and girls in sport. With over 40 years of expertise, the organisation champions change by conducting pioneering research, influencing policy, and working with partners to tackle inequalities in sport and physical activity. Their insight will help us capture key learnings and impacts from SEMenoFit to help drive systemic change to support wider education around the impacts of perimenopause and menopause for ethnically diverse women.
“Too many women, and ethnically diverse women in particular, face barriers to staying active during menopause, from cultural stigma to limited access to tailored support. We’re delighted to partner with Sporting Equals on this important work and excited to see how SEMenoFit will break down barriers, spark greater engagement in sport and activity, and support women through every stage of menopause.” – Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive of Women in Sport
Delivery Partners
We are proud to deliver SEMenoFit in partnership with the following organisations:
- Asian Girls Run
- Creative Wellness
- Dynamic Bridges CIC
- Hedgecock Community Centre
- JDS Striving for Excellence
- Muslimah Sports Association
- Sikhs in the City
Delivery partners will be leading two physical activity blocks across the next 8 months to support ethnically diverse women accessing safe, culturally inclusive, women’s only movement sessions that are tailored to supporting menopause symptoms.
We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all delivery partners for their collaboration and commitment to supporting women through this programme.
If you are an ethnically diverse woman based in London and would like to take part in SEMenoFit, please follow our social media channels for updates on delivery partners and session times.
Follow Sporting Equals on the following platforms for project updates
Linked.In – https://uk.linkedin.com/company/sportingequals
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sportingequals/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sporting.equals/
