In a significant moment for menstrual health and for social prescribing, Kate Shepherd Cohen, Founder of Menstrual Cycle Support (MCS), was awarded Innovator of the Year 2021 at the International Social Prescribing Conference, with address by HRH, The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles and other dignitaries.

In her (virtual) acceptance speech Kate said that "the recognition of Menstrual Cycle Support is a recognition of the suffering of millions of women, girls and others who menstruate".

Attended by 1000 delegates, including many clinicians, the conference focused on how social prescribing - which is the means of enabling GPs and other primary care professionals to refer patients to a range of non-clinical services - is responding to the health crisis of Covid-19. By judges awarding Kate Shepherd Cohen's Menstrual Cycle Support initiative they are helping to pin menstrual health onto the NHS and government's long term Universal Personalised Care* strategy.

Kate Shepherd Cohen plans to use her new status as an 'award-winning menstrual health pioneer' as a humbling jet pack to deliver the work and continue to alleviate and prevent menstrual suffering.

*"Personalised care represents a new relationship between people, professionals and the system" [NHS website].