A GARDEN centre in Tiptree is trying to encourage more of its staff to talk about menopause and how it affects them in their work.

Perrywood Garden Centre is looking for more ways to help their team improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

Perimenopause and menopause can traditionally be unspoken topics in the workplace, with many suffering in silence from symptoms ranging from heart palpitations to brain fog.

Celebrities such as Davina McCall and Mariella Frostrup have been working hard to encourage more conversations on this.

With this in mind the communication and HR director for Perrywood, Hannah Powell sourced an expert book from a Colchester-based independent book shop.

Colleagues at the centre took home copies of the book, Preparing for the Perimenopause and Menopause by Dr. Louise Newson, sourced from Red Lion Books in Colchester.

Hannah said: "It’s the best book I have come across on this subject, which affects so many women.

"It gives some really clear information about how to liaise with your GP if you have symptoms, to ensure you get the care and solutions you need.

"Dr. Louise Newson works at a menopause clinic so she really knows what she is talking about.

"At Perrywood we offer women suffering symptoms a wide range of support including an employee assistance helpline and access to therapies like CBT, workplace adjustments and the opportunity to come together and chat about their experiences.

"We hope that by talking about this as an organisation we can make sure that anyone who needs our support feels they can come and ask for it.”

Books were offered to Tiptree and Sudbury team members interested in "taking charge" of their menopause journey.

A total of 40 out of 200 colleagues have taken home a copy.