Hot Flush

10/04/2026

Ever wish there was a space to talk about menopause… without it turning into a lecture, a list of symptoms, or a sales pitch?

This is that space.

Join us for a relaxed, welcoming meet-up where the conversation is led by whoever’s in the room. No speaker this time, just real talk, shared experiences, and the comfort of knowing you’re not the only one figuring it all out.

What to expect:
• Free to attend (refreshments available from the Growforward café)
• Participant-led, no fixed agenda, just natural conversation
• No selling, no pressure, completely impartial
• A respectful, confidential space
• Friendly, informal, and far from clinical

This session is a women-only space, designed to support open and honest conversation.

You don’t need to have anything prepared. You don’t have to share if you don’t want to. Just come as you are.

💕 Sometimes it helps just to be in the room.

Hot Flush Menopause Meet-up
(women-only session)
📆 Tuesday 28th April
⏰ 1pm–2.15pm
📍 The Growforward Project
🆓 No need to book, just turn up

19/03/2026

Walking can really help you "connect with yourself and your surroundings. While you can use walking to achieve fitness goals, it’s a fabulous way to improve your mental health."

This Saturday, 21st March, 10am, join Wander Women North Devon at The Growforward Project, Chelfham Mill, Barnstaple EX32 7LA, for a new walk.

See comments below to read an article by Dr Louise Newson about the benefits of walking.

🌟 Celebrate the start of Spring with a beautiful walk off the beaten track, through the countryside surrounding Chelfham Mill and Shirwell, together with fabulous ladies who inspire and uplift you ✨️🦸‍♀️🌱🏞

🌟 Hill warning! This walk is across hilly terrain with a steep climb out of the Chelfham Mill valley, the views are 😍 you will need to have a good level of fitness and be comfortable walking several sections of ascent 🏞🌿🌳⛰️

🌟 Chelfham Mill - Shirwell Spring Celebration Walk 🌿🚶🏻‍♀️🏞🌱

🌟 Saturday 21st March 10am 🤩

🌟 Special thanks to the Growforward Project for use of their car park 🙏

🌟 Please click the link in the comments for all walk details ⤵️

🌟 Looking forward to striding into spring together - hope to meet you there 🚶🏻‍♀️🏞🌿💕

19/03/2026

This Saturday at The Growforward Project, join Anoushka Brierly from Wild Side Wonders to learn about herbs and how they can support our bodies, especially during menopause.

Saturday, 21st March
2-4pm
Chelfham Mill
Barnstaple EX32 7LA

£20. Booking essential, see comments for link👀

Coming up this Saturday...

Ladies it’s time to nourish yourself and find balance through your unique life cycles. PMS & Peri/Menopause don’t have to be a struggle or simply coped with. We can learn to connect inward and gain knowledge of how natural plant medicines can support and balance to help us thrive during challenging times. The more balance and harmony we have within ourselves the more we will feel vibrant and energised and the more we are able to give to those around us 💖

If you’d like to join please book via www.wild-side-wonders.sumupstore.com

26/02/2026

🔥 Hot Flush Menopause Meet-up – The First One! 🔥

I’m so excited to be hosting the very first Hot Flush Menopause Meet-up as part of the International Women’s Day weekend at The Growforward Project, celebrating the launch of their new women-focused project, Ready, Set, Glow!

Real talk. Real women. Real life.

Brain fog? Night sweats? Rage at 3am? Or just wondering what on earth is going on with your body?

Pull up a chair with me, Sharon Gale, founder of hotflush.net, for a relaxed, no-filter menopause meet-up. This is an informal, welcoming space to talk honestly about perimenopause and menopause: the highs, the lows, the laughter, the tears, and the “is it just me?” moments.

No lectures. No PowerPoints. No judgement.

Just conversation, connection, and the comforting reminder that you are absolutely not alone.

Come for the chat. Stay for the solidarity. Leave feeling lighter (even if you’re still a bit warm 🔥).

Saturday, 7th March
12pm - 1.30pm
Riverside Room,
The Growforward Project
Free - no need to book, just turn up

All welcome, whether you’re in it, through it, supporting someone, or simply curious to know more.

Let’s celebrate women’s wellbeing, connection, and honest conversation together. 🩷

⬇️See comments for the link to the International Women’s Day weekend at The Growforward Project

13/02/2026

Why Valentine’s Day might now involve more sofa snuggles than sensual surprises.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and while the adverts promise candlelit dinners and long lingering gazes, a very different image popped into my head… Picture this: You’v

17/12/2025

There’s always something to learn when it comes to hormones. Have you ever wondered where oestrogen goes when you’re done with it? The Verve Clinic explains...

12/11/2025

Ever had one of those moments when your brain just… checks out? 😅 This photo was taken during one of my bouts of menopausal brain fog, yes, that’s a saucepan full of oven chips! I’d meant to use the baking tray (which you can just see behind), but somehow my brain had other ideas. (Hubby took the photo as we both had a laugh about it.)

If you’ve ever forgotten someone’s name mid-sentence, even though you’ve known them for years, or completely blanked on a simple word like ‘wardrobe’ (“you know, that thing with doors, in the bedroom, where clothes live…”), you’ll know exactly what I mean.

Brain fog is one of those frustrating, sometimes funny, sometimes worrying symptoms of menopause that can really knock your confidence.

Dr Louise Newson, a physician, women’s hormone specialist and member of the UK Government’s Menopause Taskforce, shares some practical advice on how to manage it. As she says:

“There is no silver bullet for treating brain fog, but, like with other menopause symptoms, you can help to manage it by looking at your lifestyle and making any necessary adjustments.”

👉 Read more on Dr Newson’s website: How to Beat Menopausal Brain Fog (link in comments.)

30/10/2025

The International Menopause Society’s new White Paper and theme for 2025 is ‘The Role of Lifestyle Medicine in Menopausal Health’. Healthy eating, physical activity, restorative sleep, mental well-being, avoidance of risky substances, and healthy relationships all play a vital role in supporting women’s health through menopause and beyond.

If you’re seeking support and guidance to lead a healthier life in North Devon, visit hotflush.net and choose ‘Support Services’ to access a list of local healthcare professionals and menopause care advocates.💟

Today is World Menopause Day and a new white paper argues that what women do day to day — how they eat, move, sleep, manage stress, avoid risky substances, and maintain relationships — can meaningfully reduce menopause symptoms and lower the risk of future health problems. The paper, “The role...

27/10/2025

Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) is a condition affecting 4 in 100 women under the age of 40, and the Daisy Network is looking to raise awareness of this condition.

Simply Menopausal has created a free resource to download with information on diagnosis, what to do, symptoms and links to further support. See comments for details 👀

23/10/2025

✨Good News✨
Menopause Mandate marked a milestone for women’s health with the announcement that menopause will be included in the NHS Over 40 Health Check. They stated “This is a huge victory for Menopause Mandate’s + campaign”.

Despite the change - which will happen in 2026 - campaigners warn some women will lose out because the number who attend is too low.

21/10/2025

One of the lovely Post-It note comments from our Reframe: Rediscovering You Through the Menopause Journey event at Barnstaple Library 💜

“Thank you for today, I have met some wonderful women and gone away with so much information. xx”

That’s exactly what we hoped for, bringing together an inspiring group of North Devon menopause support providers, sharing information, advice, creativity, and community connections, all under one roof.