The People Portfolio, supported by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, delivered a pioneering initiative that’s already transforming lives.

Revive & Thrive was a pilot designed for women who had left the workplace due to menopause symptoms and wanted to return — with confidence, updated skills and the reassurance of a truly menopause-friendly employer.

With research showing that one in four women consider leaving their job and one in ten actually do because of menopause, the programme fills a crucial gap. It combined tailored training and support for returners with employer guidance on inclusive recruitment and workplace support.

Pilot partners leading the way

OVO was first to join the pilot, welcoming a group of women into its Glasgow base after its leaders completed specialist training.

“We know that people who have left the workplace due to menopause symptoms have so many skills, knowledge and experience that is so valued at OVO. We are delighted to be part of this programme and bring people back to the workplace to help support our customers.” – Louise Bailey, Belonging Lead, OVO

Teleperformance has also successfully recruited returning women by taking part in the pilot.

Aileen’s story – from self-doubt to success

Aileen had always been confident, capable and driven. But when menopause symptoms began to take their toll — fatigue, brain fog and a loss of self-belief — she made the difficult decision to step away from a career she loved. What she thought would be a short break stretched into years.

Over time, she began to wonder if the workplace had moved on without her. The thought of starting again felt daunting. Then she heard about Revive & Thrive.

Through the programme, Aileen was able to refresh her skills, rebuild her confidence and practise job-seeking in a supportive environment. Crucially, she knew she would be joining an employer who understood menopause and had committed to creating a safe, inclusive space for colleagues.

“This experience has been life-changing. I’ve remembered what I’m capable of and I feel excited about my future again.” – Aileen, Revive & Thrive participant

Her story is just one example of how, with the right support, women can return to work stronger than ever, bringing their knowledge, experience and resilience back into the workforce.

Next Steps

Feedback from pilot Menopause Friendly Accredited organisations highlighted the enormous value returners bring to the workplace, pointing to their skills, experience, and fresh perspectives.  They identified that they wanted a programme to support more women in a range of career situations.

Participants were equally enthusiastic—every one rated the programme 10/10, sharing thoughts such as, “This programme was an eye-opener to reflect on myself as an individual,” and “Thank you so much for all your help—the course was fantastic.”

In response to these insights we are delighted to launch Returner Pathways.  This returner programme will now expand to serve an even broader demographic, offering tailored options to fit different groups including employability workshops and coaching, menopause & menstrual health workshops. Employers can also use programme content to support employees coming back from long-term absence, such as maternity or other types of leave. Our flexible approach ensures that everyone returning to work feels welcomed, valued, and empowered to thrive in their role.

For Morna Ronnie, founder of The People Portfolio, the aim is clear:

“These women are very skilled, capable people… they hit the ground running — but they need a little support upfront to build their confidence back up.”

And for Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: “Embedding menopause and menstrual health support into recruitment takes inclusivity to the next level — and that benefits everyone.”

Morna can be contacted at morna@thepeopleportfolio.co.uk to discuss creating a tailored returner programme for your business and you can read more about Returner Pathways here https://thepeopleportfolio.co.uk/returner-pathways