Nicola's

11/01/2026

🌸 Celebrating Leadership That Aligns With Our Mission 🌸

We want to take a moment to recognise Kirsteen Sullivan MP and the incredible work she is doing to champion women’s health, equality and representation 💪💗

At Nicola’s, our mission has always been to ensure women feel heard, believed and supported—particularly around women’s health, mental wellbeing, chronic illness, menopause, and the impact these can have on everyday life.

Kirsteen’s commitment to listening to women’s lived experiences and advocating for change strongly reflects the very values Nicola’s was founded on.

Seeing Kirsteen become the first woman MP for Bathgate and Linlithgow is deeply meaningful to our community. Representation matters—not just in politics, but in shaping health policy, improving services, and challenging the barriers women continue to face.

Her work reinforces why spaces like Nicola’s are so important: community-led, women-centred support working alongside wider systems to ensure women’s voices influence real change.

Thank you, Kirsteen, for standing with women, for amplifying women’s health issues, and for helping create a future where women are no longer dismissed or overlooked 🌷

Nicola’s is not aligned with any political party. Our focus is, and always will be, women’s health, lived experience, and community support.

’s

11/01/2026

🌸 Bereavement & Grief – There Is No Right Way to Grieve 🌸

At Nicola’s, we want to gently acknowledge bereavement and the many ways grief can show up.

Grief doesn’t follow a timetable.
It isn’t neat, predictable, or the same for everyone.
Some days you may feel tearful and overwhelmed. Other days you may feel numb, exhausted, or unexpectedly “okay” — and all of this is normal.

💗 Grief can look like:
• Sadness, anger, guilt or confusion
• Loneliness, even when others are around
• Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
• Physical symptoms such as fatigue or aches
• Feeling pressure to “be strong” or “move on”

There is no correct way to grieve, and no deadline for healing.

🌸 At Nicola’s, we believe:
• You don’t need to explain your grief
• You don’t need to compare losses
• You don’t need to rush your healing
• You don’t have to carry it alone

If you’re grieving — whether your loss is recent or from years ago — you are welcome here. Sometimes just sitting with others who understand can make things feel a little lighter.

💗 Be gentle with yourself. Grief is love with nowhere to go.

11/01/2026

🌸 PMS or PMDD? Knowing the Difference Matters 🌸

Many women experience changes before their period — but PMS and PMDD are not the same. Understanding the difference can help women feel validated and get the right support.

💕 PMS – Premenstrual Syndrome

PMS is common and affects many women.

Typical PMS symptoms:
• Mild–moderate mood changes
• Irritability or low mood
• Bloating, breast tenderness
• Headaches or fatigue
• Symptoms are uncomfortable but manageable

🟢 PMS usually does not stop you from functioning day to day.

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🌺 PMDD – Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

PMDD is much more severe and is a recognised mental health condition.

Typical PMDD symptoms:
• Intense depression or despair
• Severe anxiety or panic
• Anger or rage that feels out of character
• Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or disconnected
• Difficulty working, parenting, or maintaining relationships
• Symptoms ease once the period starts

🔴 PMDD can significantly impact daily life and relationships.

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🕒 Timing Matters

Both PMS and PMDD:
• Occur after ovulation
• Improve when the period starts

But PMDD symptoms are more intense, more disruptive, and more distressing.

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💬 Why Awareness Is Important

Women with PMDD are often:
• Misdiagnosed
• Told it’s “just hormones”
• Left feeling misunderstood or unsupported

✨ PMDD is real. PMS is real. Neither is “all in your head.”

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🌸 At Nicola’s, we believe women deserve to be believed, supported, and informed.
If this resonates with you, you are not alone 💗

11/01/2026

🌸 You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone 🌸

Mental health isn’t just about coping — it’s about being seen, heard, and supported.
At Nicola’s, we believe connection is powerful. Sometimes the most healing thing is sitting beside someone who understands, without pressure to explain or fix anything.

💗 Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, lonely, anxious, exhausted, or just a bit lost — you are welcome here.
💗 There’s no judgement, no labels, and no expectation to share unless you want to.
💗 Just a safe, women-only space built on kindness, compassion, and community.

If today feels heavy, please remember:
✨ You matter
✨ Your feelings are valid
✨ Support is available

📍 Join us in person at our Drop Ins or connect with our online private Facebook group.
You are not alone — and you never have to be.

’s 🌸

11/01/2026

🌸 Nicola’s would love to give a shout-out to another fantastic local charity based in Bathgate — the West Lothian 50+ Network! 🌟

We’re proud to highlight the work of West Lothian 50+ Network, a locally-based, volunteer-run charity supporting people aged 50 and over across West Lothian. 💪💛 

📍 Based in Bathgate, this welcoming network brings together almost 700 members and offers over 70 different interest groups and activities — from walking, yoga and line dancing to art, games, social cafes, heritage groups and more. 

✨ What they do:
• Regular social groups where people connect, chat and build friendships 🌼 
• Physical activities to keep you active and healthy 🏃‍♂️🧘‍♀️ 
• Learning opportunities and hobby groups (arts, genealogy, music and beyond) 🎨📸🎶 
• Trips, events and shared experiences that combat loneliness and keep life vibrant 🌍☕️ 

This is community-led support at its best — helping people stay connected, engaged and enjoying later life. 💬🙌

👉 If you’re 50+ or know someone who would love to get involved, check them out and help spread the word!

10/01/2026

A big thank you again to Kirsteen Sullivan for Bathgate and Linlithgow 🙌🌸❤️

10/01/2026

Great post telling you about the amazing Wander dog 🐶 ❤️

Recently we have had lots of new humans and dogs follow us, so thought as it's the start of January and the new walking calendar we would introduce our team..

These guys are why we feel so passionate about running free regular group walks, so dogs can socialise at their own level.

Willow- white lurcher, big bouncy loves dogs and humans. Definitely my soul dog she is a deep thinker. Likes to kangaroo jump.

Sky- handsome snowflake, older grey. The most chilled out hound fabulous with young dogs. He is a daddy's boy and head of the pack.

Mo- anxious young lady, talks to very few humans. Likes the safety of the pack and is willow's shadow. Enjoys calm time.

Smokey- lazy boy, generally loves everyone and just follows the pack. Prefers toys over treats. Was lacking confidence but definitely starting to get his personality.

We affectionately call them The Fab 4. Without them we couldn't do what we do.