Member Spotlight: Jenny Haskey, Chief Executive, The Menopause Charity

Introduce yourself

Hi, I’m Jenny Haskey, Chief Executive of The Menopause Charity. I’ve spent most of my career working in health charities in Manchester and believe everyone deserves equal access to health information, support and treatment; especially when navigating midlife!

I joined the charity in 2021, a few months after it was set up. I was taken aback by the scale of the challenge and the ambition behind it. The menopause conversation has grown since then, but that growth has sometimes created even more confusion. People are overwhelmed and trying to make sense of menopause while facing a sea of conflicting voices. Many struggle to access treatment, and this affects them at home, at work, in relationships and in everyday life.

At The Menopause Charity we work to make trusted and inclusive menopause information available to everyone, not only to those who already have the confidence, resources or access to seek it out. What keeps me motivated is knowing that our work changes people’s lives. We help people understand their symptoms. We empower them in workplaces and communities. We ensure that their experiences influence policy and practice.

For me, this is not just a job. It is about compassion, equality and the belief that no one should feel alone during menopause.

Career highlight

One of the proudest moments in my career has been guiding our young charity through a period where misinformation about menopause was growing at speed. Many people were feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to turn for clear and reliable guidance. It was clear that the charity needed to step into a stronger leadership role and become a trusted source of truth, especially for those who already face barriers to care.

We worked hard to secure the PIF TICK Quality Mark. This is the national benchmark for trustworthy health information. We became the first, and are currently the only, menopause organisation to hold this accreditation. Achieving this as a small and relatively new charity was a major milestone. It showed that people could rely on us at a time when confidence in health information is fragile and the volume of conflicting messages is increasing.

Since securing the accreditation, millions of people have accessed our resources. We hear every week how our information has helped someone understand their symptoms, speak to a healthcare professional with more confidence, or simply feel less alone.

This achievement matters because our work always begins with people. We listen to the lived experiences of those going through menopause, especially those who are often unheard. Their voices shape our resources and help us make sure our information is relevant, inclusive and accessible. We also take these voices into parliamentary roundtables, where real stories can influence policy and practice.

Seeing lived experience drive meaningful change in workplaces and in national conversations has been one of the most rewarding parts of my role.

Three words that describe your personality

Empathetic, Authentic, Curious

What is the best thing about pro-manchester?

The real strength of pro-manchester is the way it brings together businesses that care about people, culture and community. It is a place where collaboration feels genuine and meaningful.

For us, joining pro-manchester is an opportunity to work with organisations across the region that want to move beyond tick box activities and embed menopause support in a thoughtful and inclusive way. Manchester has the potential to lead the national picture on inclusive menopause support in the workplace. By working together, we can create approaches that reach everyone and set a standard that others across the country can follow.

What are your priorities for 2026?

My priorities for 2026 centre on impact and inclusion.

• Reaching more underserved communities and ensuring menopause support reflects real lives and a wide range of experiences.
• Expanding our workplace programmes and supporting organisations to embed thoughtful, inclusive, and supportive menopause action plans.
• Building sustainable income, so we can keep focusing our energy where it is needed most and continue to provide trusted and accessible information.

What do you think are the most important things going on in Manchester at the moment?

Manchester has always been a city of energy and bold ideas. What excites me most at the moment is the growing focus on reducing health inequalities.

As organisations respond to the Employment Rights Act 2025, many are beginning to prepare for the upcoming menopause action plan requirements. This gives Manchester a real opportunity to lead the way. Success will rely on more than policy. It requires a commitment to inclusive practice. Menopause support must reach everyone, including people in frontline roles, shift-based work, and physically demanding jobs, not only those in office environments.

If Manchester gets this right, it has the power to improve lives across the region.

Favourite meeting place in Manchester

I love discovering independent coffee shops, especially those that support local producers. Ancoats is one of my favourite areas because it has such a relaxed and welcoming feel. The Northern Quarter also holds a special place for me because I am often there to catch my nephew’s band, Summerhouse, whenever they are playing. It is a part of the city that feels warm, creative and full of character.

Are there particular types of businesses you would like to meet?

I would love to connect with any organisation that wants to make the menopause conversation feel normal, open and supportive. In particular:

• Employers who are preparing to embed menopause action plans by April 2027
• HR Directors, People Leaders and Wellbeing teams
• Businesses interested in corporate partnerships with real social impact
• CSR and ESG teams
• Organisations committed to reducing inequalities across Greater Manchester

If you want to create a workplace where every person feels valued and supported during menopause, I would be delighted to talk.