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Our 65th lunch was an over-riding success and more than £27,000 was raised for Endometriosis UK. More details and photos on the Previous Lunches page.
We are delighted to announce that the benefiting charity for the 2024 lunch was Endometriosis UK.
10% of women have endometriosis, yet it takes an average of 8 years to get a diagnosis. This figure hasn’t changed in a decade. Many are left unsupported, with chronic pain and debilitating symptoms. There is no cure. The negative impact on lives can be enormous. Additionally, there is a general lack of awareness about endometriosis: a survey in 2023 highlighted that just 49% of the public are aware that endometriosis is a gynaecological health condition.
As well as causing chronic physical pain, endometriosis can have a severe impact on education, mental health, relationships and careers. Menstrual Health is still often considered a taboo subject, leaving those with the disease feeling isolated and ignored. Endometriosis UK work hard to breakdown the taboo and tackle the stigma of endometriosis. They seek to advocate and drive change through influencing and campaigning. Scotland was the first place in the UK to roll out the women’s health plan and appoint a women’s health champion. Endometriosis UK are the secretariat to the Scottish Cross Party group headed by Monica Lennon, MSP and regularly meet with NHS Scotland advisors.
Endometriosis UK have one member of staff in Scotland, dedicated to expanding and furthering their services and reach. There are currently nine face to face support groups across the regions and three online groups, with new links in the islands and rural parts around Scotland. Volunteers run the webchat & helpline and raise awareness across Scotland. All their trained volunteers are women with lived experience of the disease. Endometriosis UK have ambitious plans to offer more support and advocacy to the Scottish community.
With your support Endometriosis UK will continue to recruit and train additional volunteers, deliver trusted and accurate information, raise awareness and advocate for those most in need. This impactful approach aims to reduce isolation and empower sufferers to make informed choices.
https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/
Our speakers were:
Dr Kirsty Munro – Dr Munro is a Consultant Gynaecologist at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and and The Nuffield Edinburgh Clinic. She was appointed as a consultant in 2014. She is the clinical lead for endometriosis in Edinburgh with the Royal Infirmary being a nationally recognised centre of excellence for endometriosis care. She works as part of a superb multidisciplinary team which includes colorectal, urology, pain management, physiotherapy and dietetic colleagues to optimise care for patients with endometriosis.
Dr Munro graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2003. Most of her training in obstetrics and gynaecology was carried out in Edinburgh. Some time was spent working in Australia and her final two years of training were in Bristol.
Dr Marie Macklin, CBE – Dr Macklin is a prominent Scottish businesswoman, entrepreneur and Founder and Executive Chair of The HALO Urban Regeneration Company. Marie is Executive Chair of Macklin Enterprise Partnerships, which seeks to invest in entrepreneurs and their businesses.
Among her many business positions Marie has been a Board Member of Scottish Property Federation, Ayrshire College, Economic Leaders Board to oversee the Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal, as well as being an Advisory Board Member of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and Women’s Enterprise Scotland.
Marie has a long-established commitment to the development, excellence and philanthropy of young people. She actively encourages entrepreneurs by advising, investing, sponsoring and supporting schools, colleges, universities, arts and community organisations to engage young people in business.
Prof Andrea Nolan OBE – Prof Nolan is the Principal and Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, a role she has held since 2013. She is also a sister, aunt, grand aunt, mother of four, a professor and a Vet.
Andrea graduated from Trinity College Dublin, and after a short time in veterinary practice, embarked on an academic career which led to her appointment as a lecturer and then Professor in Veterinary Pharmacology in the University of Glasgow where she established herself as a research leader in the pathophysiology of animal pain, its recognition and management. Her senior leadership in Glasgow developed through roles including Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Senior Vice-Principal. She served as convenor of Universities Scotland, the professional body representing Scotland’s 19 Higher Education institutions, and currently chairs its international committee. She serves on a range of Boards and groups contributing to the development of Higher Education and animal charities.
She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies and was awarded an Honorary OBE in 2013 for services to Higher Education and Veterinary Science.
Guest Chair – Hayley Millar, BBC Presenter –
Hayley has been a familiar voice on BBC airwaves for nearly three decades. She began her BBC career at Radio Scotland before moving to London where she worked for BBC2’s Working Lunch and BBC1 Breakfast programmes, travelling around the UK and Europe.
Hayley returned to Scotland to lead BBC Scotland’s business and economy coverage for more than a decade, breaking many stories as Scotland’s electronics sector unravelled.
Hayley currently presents Lunchtime Live at midday.
Hayley is a passionate advocate of equality and of helping women to flourish in the workplace.
The 2025 Lunch will be on Fri 25th April and will be in aid of Huntington’s.
