In today’s blog post, we hear from Shaniyah Wattley, the Facilitator and Co-Founder of the new Women’s Wellness Community, a new support group for women affected by fibroids, endometriosis and PMOS. In her piece, Shaniyah discusses how this new initiative came to be and reflects on the first session, which was held in June 2026
June 10th marked an exciting beginning for women in St. Kitts and Nevis: the official launch of the St. Kitts and Nevis Women’s Wellness Community , a support group for women with fibroids, endometriosis and PMOS.Co-founded by Shaniyah Wattley (a CFBC student and passionate advocate for women’s health) and Abi Begho (Founder of Lake Health and Well-being), this group represents the start of something deeply meaningful. Our mission? To break the silence and bring much-needed awareness to the various hormonal issues that so many women face.
How It Came to Be
The idea to create a space for women living with PMOS, Endometriosis and Fibroids was born at a Health Fair hosted by Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College in St. Kitts, where the two founders met and struck up a conversation about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), now referred to as PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome).The pair engaged in a deep conversation about how although many women in St. Kitts and Nevis are noticeably affected by this and other hormonal disorders, these conditions are rarely discussed openly. Recognizing the need for greater awareness, education, and support, they were inspired to establish a support group dedicated to supporting and empowering women living with hormonal health challenges.
Behind the Scenes: From Idea to Reality
Behind every successful launch is a mountain of hard work. It took constant planning, meetings upon meetings, fund sourcing, questionnaires, and sending out invitations. But every single detail was worth it when we finally gathered at the Lake Health and Well-being conference room on Central Street, St. Kitts where we had our first meeting.
We sat down with an intimate circle of about seven women in person, alongside a few who joined us online. Before diving into the presentation, we wanted to build a safe space. To break the ice, our guests were greeted and engaged in a fun ice-breaker activity where they were invited to share a few fun facts about themselves and what they hoped to get out of the session, instantly creating an atmosphere of comfort and mutual support.
A Masterclass with Dr. Keriise Manchester
We were honoured to welcome a very special guest as our inaugural speaker: Dr. Keriise Manchester, Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and the owner of Manchester Medical. Safe to say, we couldn’t have chosen anyone better!
Dr. Manchester went into extreme detail about the specific hormonal conditions that our group aims to support, including:
- Endometriosis
- PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome)
- Fibroids
She delved deep into the root causes, signs, treatments, surgical procedures, and medications available to manage these symptoms. What made it truly unforgettable was that she shared actual photos from surgeries she has performed on patients with fibroids and endometriosis. The presentation was so incredibly in-depth and personal that it felt more like a real, high-value doctor’s visit than a standard presentation.
A Community Packed with Care
To wrap up the evening, we presented Dr. Manchester with a special token of appreciation for her invaluable time and expertise. But our attendees didn’t leave empty-handed either! Every woman received a thoughtful goodie bag perfectly tailored to the theme of the group. Each bag was packed with products focused on menstrual care, body care, and mental health, and educational pamphlets.
This is Only the Beginning
Overall, our inaugural meeting was a major success. It truly marked the beginning of intense, elevated women’s health awareness in St. Kitts and Nevis, and opened the door for healthier, taboo-free conversations surrounding women’s bodies.
More Information
Our new Women’s Wellness Community meets monthly and the next session will be held on Wednesday 8th July at 6 pm. We’re delighted to welcome Mrs Valencia Smithen-Byron, Deputy Director and Clinical Counsellor at the National Counselling Centre, as our guest speaker. Mrs Smithen-Byron will be exploring the important connection between these conditions and mental health, while sharing practical strategies to help women build resilience and prioritise their wellbeing.
For more information, please email us and you can register for the session here
