Give to Gain: How supporting women in the workplace strengthens us all

Donna Holland, Chief Executive of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on the progress women have made, but also to recognise how that progress has been achieved. No woman succeeds in isolation. Every step forward has been built on the encouragement, advocacy and courage of women supporting women. It’s built on the shoulders of all those women who’ve gone before.

That idea, for me, sits at the heart of this year’s theme “Give to Gain”.

When women share knowledge, champion one another’s achievements and create opportunities for others, we don’t lose anything by giving. Instead, we gain stronger organisations, and more inclusive workplaces and communities.

At Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, this shapes the way we support the people who make our work possible. Every day I am surrounded by talented, compassionate and resilient women and that carries a responsibility: to create an environment where women can thrive professionally, personally, emotionally and physically.

Because supporting women at work means recognising that women’s lives are complex. Experiences such as pregnancy, menstruation, reproductive health, miscarriage, (peri)menopause and wider wellbeing don’t sit neatly outside the working day. They influence energy, confidence, health and capacity, often at pivotal moments in a woman’s career. Too often workplaces downplay or ignore these realities.

Creating a culture of dignity, equity and belonging

At Rockinghorse, we believe these experiences are acknowledged, understood, and supported. That means creating an inclusive culture where women are supported through different life stages and where conversations about health, wellbeing and work-life balance are normalised rather than avoided, or worse, stigmatised.

Women experience a range of health challenges that are still too often misunderstood or overlooked in the workplace. Conditions such as endometriosis, fertility treatment, miscarriage or hormonal fluctuations can affect attendance, comfort and performance. Instead of expecting people to quietly “push through”, we aim to create an environment where colleagues feel able to speak openly and receive the support they need.

For us, that is part of what real inclusion looks like.

Making menopause a workplace conversation and concern

One of the most significant, yet frequently overlooked, issues facing women at work is the menopause. For many women, this phase coincides with the peak of their professional careers, when they hold senior roles and carry significant responsibilities. Yet symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, migraines, concentration difficulties, sleep disruption and loss of confidence can make daily working life incredibly challenging.

Silence and stigma have historically surrounded this topic. At Rockinghorse, we actively encourage open conversations about menopause and provide staff with the space, understanding and support to talk about what they are experiencing.

Practical support matters too. We offer a range of reasonable adjustments, including flexible working arrangements, rest breaks, desk moves, fans and time for medical appointments. Small changes can make an enormous difference to someone’s comfort, confidence and ability to continue contributing at their best. By embedding empathy and flexibility into our workplace culture, we ensure that women can continue to thrive even during periods of significant physical change.

Why supporting women strengthens organisations

At Rockinghorse, our mission is to support the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and specialist paediatric services across Sussex, helping babies, children and young people receive the best possible care when they are unwell. We are the local children’s hospital charity and the work we do is rooted in compassion, collaboration and community.

Those same values shape how we support our team. In a small charity like ours, every individual plays a vital role, every voice matters. When staff feel respected, supported and trusted, they can bring their energy, creativity and commitment to the work we do. That strengthens our fundraising, our partnerships and ultimately the impact we can deliver for children and families across Sussex.

Supporting women also creates a ripple effect far beyond our organisation. When women are empowered in the workplace, they become visible role models for others. They demonstrate what confident, compassionate leadership and teamwork looks like. They open doors, share opportunities and help create pathways for the next generation of women to step forward.

That ripple effect is the essence of Give to Gain.

Standing on shoulders and becoming them

Every woman working today benefits from the courage and determination of those who came before us. We stand on the shoulders of women who challenged barriers, fought for equality and expanded what was possible.

Our responsibility now is to become those shoulders for others. That means mentoring younger colleagues, championing each other’s achievements and building workplaces where women are not simply accommodated, but truly supported to flourish.

At Rockinghorse, we champion the lives of children every day. But we also champion the women (in the office and in the hospital) whose talent, empathy and dedication make our work possible.

Because when we support women to thrive, when we support each other: everyone benefits and that feels like the meaning of this year’s theme.

www.rockinghorse.org.uk