Why Bishop’s Stortford Needed A Menopause Café - Heidi Barden
Show notes
This episode is brought to you by:
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Heidi Barden is a local volunteer who supports the Royal British Legion and helps organise its annual Poppy Appeal. More recently, she founded the Bishop’s Stortford Menopause Café.
The café was created to give women a relaxed, face-to-face place to connect during perimenopause and menopause. Some sessions include guest speakers covering wellbeing, clothing, reflexology and local support groups, while others are simply informal opportunities to talk over coffee or breakfast.
Heidi also discusses the pressures many women face at this stage of life, including work, children, ageing parents and their own health. She explains how the café has grown through collaboration with Belle’s Place, Café Thyme and other local community figures.
Links
The next Menopause Café is:
- Tuesday 7 July 2026
- 5:00pm to 7:00pm
- Café Thyme, Bishop’s Stortford
It is an early evening session so women who cannot attend the usual Wednesday morning meetups can come along.
Belle’s Place - https://bellesplaceholistic.co.uk/
Café Thyme - https://www.facebook.com/p/Cafe-Thyme-100063488953112/?locale=en_GB
Stortford Spotlight
Billboard in Jackson Square
“Find your place, find your charity or whatever it is and get involved.”
Heidi chose this because small acts of community involvement can make a significant difference to other people.
Secret Spot
Belle’s Place
Heidi chose Belle’s Place because it has become a welcoming local community hub for events, workshops and informal connection.
Local Legends
Bishop’s Stortford Royal British Legion - https://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/bishops-stortford
Heidi highlighted the local committee and secretary Terrie Archer for the work they do throughout the year, not only during the Poppy Appeal.
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