For LGBTIQ+ women, these transitions can come with added layers of complexity, including the ongoing reality of coming out in new contexts and navigating social isolation. Recognising these needs, Sue West, facilitator and transition coach, has created Flourish After 50, a program designed specifically to support LGBTIQ+ women in building fulfilling lives during this transformative stage.

The Journey Behind the Program

Sue’s own story illustrates the challenges and opportunities that often emerge in midlife. In her 50s, she experienced the ending of a long-term relationship, became a single parent, and cared for her mother until her passing – all while striving to maintain her career. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced life to a standstill and prompted her to ask some questions about her life.

‘I knew I wanted something more,’ Sue recalls, ‘but I wasn’t sure how to make that happen.’

Like many women, she faced uncertainty, fear, and a sense of being stuck. These experiences fuelled her passion for creating workshops that help women not only acknowledge the upheavals of midlife but also discover new possibilities.

Why a Program for LGBTIQ+ Women?

While Sue has facilitated similar workshops for women more broadly, she noticed that queer women often had to ‘work harder’ to find points of connection. As a lesbian herself, she recognised the unique burden of having to ‘come out again and again’ whenever life circumstances changed-whether with new health practitioners, workplaces, or social settings.

‘I wanted to create an experience where queer women could connect and grow together without having to explain themselves,’ she explains. By fostering a safe and affirming space, Flourish After 50 encourages participants to share stories, normalise their experiences, and build networks of support.

The Anatomy of Transition

At the heart of Flourish After 50 is the recognition that transitions are multi-layered. Sue describes them as having three parts: an ending, a messy middle, and a new beginning. The workshops guide participants through each stage, helping them explore questions such as:

• Who am I now?
• What really matters to me?
• How do my values, passions, and purpose align with the life I’m living?

Workshop One focuses on identity and values, encouraging women to reflect deeply on who they are and what lights them up at this stage of life. Workshop Two, described as a ‘life edit,’ takes a more practical approach. Participants examine different areas of their lives, assess their satisfaction levels, and identify small but meaningful changes to pursue. The aim is not to overhaul everything at once, but to create a clear plan for a ‘next best move’ that sets women on a fulfilling path forward.

Breaking Through Fear and Isolation

For many, fear is the greatest barrier to change. Sue emphasises that overcoming fear requires both ‘thinking work and feeling work.’ The workshops help women challenge limiting beliefs-what Sue calls the ‘triple threat’ of personal doubts, family and community expectations, and societal ageism.

Ageism, in particular, mirrors the impacts of homophobia. Women over 50 often report feeling invisible or irrelevant, a reality compounded for those in the LGBTIQ+ community. Flourish After 50 addresses these challenges head-on, encouraging women to live unapologetically on their own terms.

Another key issue the program tackles is isolation. Many LGBTIQ+ women describe feelings of loneliness, especially as they age. By bringing participants together in shared storytelling and group exercises, the workshops foster connection and mutual support. Friendships often continue beyond the program, helping women create lasting networks.

What Participants Can Expect

The workshops are highly participatory. Sue sets the framework with tools and resources, but the wisdom ‘sits with the women in the room.’ Activities range from individual reflection to small group exercises and whole-group discussions.

Participants leave not just with insights but with practical strategies to navigate transitions. Common words women use to describe their post-workshop feelings include ‘inspired’ and ‘energised.’ Even those who arrive hesitant or drained often leave uplifted, with renewed clarity about their lives.

Outcomes and Hopes

Sue’s goals for participants are clear:

• Inspiration: encouraging women to imagine bigger, more fulfilling lives.
• Confidence: helping them feel in control of their transitions.
• Self-reflection: strengthening the habit of noticing and questioning what they want and need.
• Connection: building networks of support within the LGBTIQ+ community.
• Practical tools: equipping women with resources to navigate future changes.

‘These transitions are meaning-making moments,’ Sue says. ‘They’re times to reflect on who we are and how we want to live.’

Beyond Flourish After 50

Sue also runs small-group coaching programs on ‘living on your own terms,’ and ‘life beyond work’, alongside maintaining her blog at flourishafterfifty.com.au. In 2025, she launched a brand new podcast, Flourish After Fifty, with experts and everyday women sharing their wisdom. Through her work, writing, and speaking, Sue continues to advocate for positive, active, and intentional living for women over 50.

An Invitation to Flourish

For those hesitant to join, Sue offers simple but powerful advice: ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway. Show up for yourself-because you’re worth it.’

For more information, Flourish After 50 head to flourishafterfifty.com.au