Raising Menstruation

Research, Knowledge and Community

‘The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its heat.’ Nigerian Proverb

Raising Menstruation is a program designed for the parents, carers, and organisations who are supporting children in their early years of menstruating. This four-part online program has been created to bridge knowledge gaps, incorporate research, and explore methods needed to guide and support children during this significant life event. Raising Menstruation has been created with a dual approach to recognise that adults also need to reflect on their own experiences and relationship with their menstrual cycle in order to offer a fully positive menstrual education to our children.

Menarche is a pivotal moment in a person's life. The way it is approached, experienced and supported can shape one's self-esteem, body confidence and body literacy leading to improved health outcomes. A positive experience at menarche is empowering. Essentially, it fosters a profound and intimate connection with ourselves and our role in the world and can instill a much needed sense of belonging.

Parenting this milestone can present challenges. With research showing that menstrual attitudes are often inherited, combined with an absence of sound menstrual education and society's insistence that menstruation is hidden, it's no wonder parents are unsure how to initiate change.  If we want to improve outcomes for our children we not only have to revisit our menstrual understanding (and gaps in knowledge), we also need to consider our bias and the deeply embedded menstrual narrative.

Grace Hempshall - Educator, Researcher and Facilitator

I have been both a student and an educator in the field of menstruation for a number of years. Most recently achieving a Masters level (with Distinction) in Contemporary Menstrual Studies from Dr Lara Owen, a leading academic and pioneer in the menstrual field. I am commencing a second year masters with Dr Owen in March 2025. My recent research includes a researching what happens at menarche to children who are raised within British institutions.

Research shows that parental/caregiver engagement in their childrens menstrual education goes some way to reduce the impact of menstrual stigma at menarche. However, there remains little to support parents guiding their children through this milestone. Raising Menstruation has been formed to bridge this gap with with evidence based-research, knowledge and community.

Joining Raising Menstruation

Available as a 1:1 programme, which includes 4 x 1:1 sessions with Grace.

Or, you can join one of our small group programmes which run 4 times per year.

Investment

1:1 programmes are held online via zoom and cost £159

Group programmes cost £88 per person. You can either gather your own group or join one of our open group programmes.

To register please contact Grace here.

Previous attendee comments:

“Top marks for a really positive and thought provoking workshop. I found it so useful and cannot recommend it highly enough to fellow parents.”

“Grace’s extensive knowledge is combined beautifully with her compassionate and inclusive approach.”

“I feel much better prepared, on so many levels, to support my daughters through menarche. I will be able to approach this time with much more peace of mind and compassion”.



Contact Grace at raisingmenstruation@gmail.com