frendo@work - A dedicated workplace support programme for people who suffer with endometriosis

Interviewing frendo@work: Supporting Employees with Endometriosis

March marks Endometriosis Awareness (Action) Month. Don't Carry It Alone is proud to join the global efforts in raising awareness about this debilitating condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Endometriosis is not just a medical issue; it's a societal concern that impacts various facets of life, including the workplace.

In an era marked by the increasing integration of technology into society, it's particularly exciting to witness the emergence of innovative solutions like frendo, a UK-based start-up company, that has built technology to support those navigating their journeys with endometriosis.

frendo began its journey as a social network and has now grown into so much more. Harnessing technology and evidence-based science, frendo integrates these elements into its app, resources, and programmes to encourage individuals living with endometriosis or suspected endometriosis symptoms to trust their bodies again. This dynamic approach is crucial in empowering individuals to manage their health effectively within the workplace and beyond.

frendo recently announced the very first workplace support programme for those with Endometriosis, frendo@work, which represents a significant step forward in addressing the needs of individuals with chronic illnesses in the workplace.

We interviewed the CEO & Founder of frendo, Dearbhail Ormond:

Q: Hello Dearbhail! Don't Carry It Alone has been supporting frendo's journey since your launch in 2020. Could you please introduce yourself and describe your path to founding frendo?

A: It took 18 years to receive my own endo diagnosis, to finally have a name for all these life-altering symptoms that affected me since teenagehood, so I built frendo in order to make sure other people living with this disease didn’t have to suffer alone. Part of our frendo mission is to drastically reduce the time it takes a person to be diagnosed, we know wait times for diagnosis continue to be extremely long, and that doctors’ experience with endometriosis has historically been very limited.

Each closed door or misdiagnosis I faced made me question, are these symptoms in my head? So our screening and tracking tools within the app were designed to help validate people who are showing the signs of endometriosis but are on waiting lists or unable to access adequate care.

Our latest venture, frendo@work, was again born out of my own experiences of managing this disease and my career. Before I started frendo, I was made redundant when I returned to my job after an endometriosis surgery. Like many others (1 in 6 on average), I lost my job due to the illness, and so I want to help as many sufferers, and the organizations they work for, to create supportive and stigma free work environments.

Q: We are passionate about sharing resources for both employers and employees. What is frendo@Work, and how does it support individuals with endometriosis in the workplace?

A: frendo@work is an employee benefits program with a difference. We are the first of its kind expert produced program that is uniquely focused on supporting endometriosis sufferers in the workplace. We have developed a program that really covers the extensive range of symptoms and experiences endo sufferers live with.

Q: How does frendo@Work collaborate with employers to create a supportive work environment for employees with endometriosis?

A: We are committed to creating a positive company wide culture shift which is why alongside the program that supports endo sufferers, we host workshops, make policy suggestions and offer line manager training resources with the aim to educate and engage the whole workforce in the issues surrounding health and gender equality in the workplace. We know that if we are going to change the narrative around women’s health and improve health equity, we have to include all genders in our conversations.

Q: What resources does frendo@work provide to help individuals with endometriosis manage their condition while working?

A: Our unique program has a set of well versed experts at the helm, we offer a 360 degree package that supports an endo sufferer at every stage of their journey. We have a library of on demand content available to users as well as a wealth of written resources that focus on various aspects of the disease.

Our program also gives users access to the premium edition of our mobile app so they can track symptoms and flares, and receive personalized insights into their condition which in turn empowers sufferers to trust their bodies again.

Q: How can employers and individuals with endometriosis get involved with frendo@work?

A: If you'd like to hear more about the program or have any questions, you can drop us an email at hello@frendo.co.uk, Whether you are an employee, HR manager or CEO, we would love to chat to each of you! To keep up to date with all the resources and information we share with our frendo community, follow us over on instagram.

Endometriosis Awareness Month serves as an important reminder of the ongoing need for support, understanding, and advocacy for those living with chronic illnesses like endometriosis. As a non-profit, dedicated to sharing resources and supporting individuals facing these challenges, Don't Carry It Alone remains committed to encouraging employers to create inclusive and supportive environments where individuals can thrive despite their health conditions.



Together, let's continue to raise awareness, promote education, and advocate for policies that prioritise the well-being of all individuals, so that no one has to carry it alone!