CO-DESIGN / WORKSHOP DESIGN
Where Wisdom Takes Root
Non-Clinical Menopause Support for Women by Women
University of the Arts London
Overview
University of the Arts London
In progress
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Background
Menopause affects half of our population, yet it remains a taboo topic. The women I interviewed described being dismissed in healthcare settings and made fun of at home. Many felt they had no one in their lives they could speak openly with about the emotional realities of this major life transition. Through surveys, interviews, appreciative inquiry, and workshop design/facilitation, I uncovered a way for postmenopausal women to transform their experiences into reflection and advice for the next generation of women. This is not clinical advice; it is wisdom rooted in lived experience.
Problem
While it is important to listen to medical providers’ advice, many women feel they are still missing the non-clinical support needed to navigate this life transition. Clinical information and medical jargon can be difficult to translate into everyday life, leaving women unsure how to make sense of the changes they are experiencing. Although menopause has become a more normalized topic in recent years, many of the women I spoke with still felt unsupported within their homes and communities. Without spaces to share experiences and learn from one another, many women continue to navigate this transition alone.
“Where Wisdom Takes Root” is an in-person workshop designed to help women transform their menopause experiences into advice and support for other women, but it needs to become more accessible for all. In its original format, the workshop was conducted live, meaning the reflections, stories, and wisdom generated by participants remained within the workshop itself. “Where Wisdom Takes Root” aims to make this process remote and accessible while creating a digital archive of lived experiences, reflections, and advice for women approaching this stage of life.
Project goal
This project aims to transform the workshop into a digital workshop that enables women who have experienced menopause to reflect on and share their experiences as guidance for future generations. The platform will also serve as a living archive of women’s stories, reflections, and advice, making this collective wisdom accessible to women preparing to enter this stage of life.
The process
01 / Empathize — Exploring people’s needs
Overview
Research approach
People & insights
Research approach
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02 / Define — Framing the challenge
Overview
Synthesis
Design opportunity
Synthesis
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03 / Ideate — Exploring possibilities
Overview
Ideas & concepts
Experience journey
Ideas & concepts
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04 / Prototype — Making the experience tangible
Overview
Prototyping
Final experience
Prototyping
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05 / Test — Learning through feedback
Overview
Feedback & revisions
Next steps
Feedback & revisions
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Reflections & takeaways
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