Charity funds additional menopause support for staff

  • Written by Anita Kincade
  • Posted: 12 Jun 2026
  • 1 min read

A popular menopause support programme for University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) and wider healthcare colleagues has been extended for another 12 months thanks to funding received from Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity, in collaboration with the UHDB Wellbeing Team.

The menopause yoga programme, first introduced to the Wellbeing Timetable in October 2023, provides dedicated weekly menopause support sessions for health and social care colleagues across the local health and care system.

Delivered by local wellbeing professional Kerrie Oxford, founder of Koa Yoga & Mindfulness, each session combines specially adapted yoga sequences, mindfulness and breathing techniques designed to help ease common menopause symptoms including irritability, anxiety, overwhelm, low mood, hot flushes, fatigue and insomnia.

The menopause yoga sessions have become a popular feature on the Wellbeing Team’s extensive colleague support timetable, with more than 870 bookings from UHDB staff over the past 12 months.

We’re delighted to partner with Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity, who are funding this impactful initiative for another 12 months.
The UHDB Wellbeing Team delivers a wide range of programmes and initiatives to support our health and social care colleagues across the system - helping them remain healthy and well at work and in all aspects of life.
Feedback from colleagues has demonstrated the positive impact of the menopause yoga sessions, and how keen people were for them to continue. Thanks to the support of our Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity, we’re thrilled to be able to keep this important programme on the timetable as part of our ongoing wellbeing support offer.

James Buckley, UHDB Head of Wellbeing

It’s been a privilege to support so many UHDB staff members through the menopause yoga programme, and I’m delighted the sessions will continue for another year.
The feedback from participants has been incredibly moving, with many sharing the positive impact the sessions have had on their menopause symptoms and overall physical and mental wellbeing.
I’m pleased that, with support from Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity and the UHDB Wellbeing Team, we can continue offering this dedicated menopause support to colleagues across the system.”

Kerrie Oxford, founder of Koa Yoga & Mindfulness

We’re delighted, that through donations and fundraising received by our supporters, we are able to support the continuation of the menopause yoga programme.
Our charity exists to enhance the experience of patients and staff across UHDB, and initiatives like this provide meaningful support for colleagues who care for others every day.
It’s fantastic to see the positive impact the programme has already had and we’re pleased to help ensure this valuable support remains available to staff over the coming year.

Jill Matthews, Chief Officer Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity

Participant feedback highlighted improvements across a range of physical and mental wellbeing indicators, including mood, sleep, stress levels and the management of MSK and long-term health conditions.

Participant feedback

It's such a lovely class and one that I look forward to each week. It's a gentle class and helps me to get rid of some of the stresses of the week and leaves me with tools to help me should my menopausal anxiety and stress start to take over. The different types of breathing techniques that Kerrie has shared with us have helped me on many an occasion when I needed to take a moment during a busy working day.

Jo

I enjoy the class and feel it puts me in a good mood to face my busy day working in the Community. Since doing the weekly Yoga, I have noticed a huge difference in my anxiety levels. This was something I was struggling with due to menopause, but it is much better now, and I feel it is due to the breathing exercises you showed us.

Jane

I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the menopause yoga class. I really like how Kerrie alters the class every week and I am finding the breathing techniques especially useful when dealing with the menopause! My current job role is mainly desk based so the yoga definitely helps with my MSK and general wellbeing.

Anonymous

When you donate to our charity or take part in fundraising, you are supporting projects just like this across our hospitals for local patients and healthcare workers.

If you would like to support our charity, please visit our get involved page to see how you can get involved and make a difference.