This programme is designed to support your mental wellbeing as well as physical.

We regularly host yoga, mindfulness and nutrition programmes. Stay up-to-date on our social media for the latest announcements or sign up to our Wellbeing Mailing List below

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Programmes

  • Fertility In The Workplace Wellbeing Programs, supporting Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

    Group Mentoring Programme

    We are excited to announce an amazing group mentoring programme, where we will be offering support and guidance to women experiencing fertility challenges at work. Click here to find out more.

     

     

    Wellbeing in the Workplace; Mental Health Series

    Fertility In The Workplace – Stress & Fertility

    Tuesday 27th Feb 2024, 7pm-8.30pm

    Research has shown that women with infertility report similar levels of depression and anxiety to women with cancer or heart disease. In fact, most women and a significant number of men, who are undergoing infertility treatment report high levels of depressive symptoms. Leading to the age-old question- can stress negatively impact the success rates of infertility treatment?

     

    Fertility In The Workplace – Preparing Yourself for Treatment and Navigating Relationships

    Wednesday 6th March, 12pm

    When preparing for a round of treatment, especially when it is your first, it can feel daunting and there are some things you can do to prepare yourself. It is also recognised that there can be strain and an impact on relationships and work. This can further add to the pressure of treatment but there are things you can do to support yourself.

     
     

    Fertility In The Workplace – Supporting Your Mental Health During Fertility

    Wednesday 13th March, 12pm

    Join this session to learn about aspects of unexplained infertility and how to approach fertility in the workplace to ensure colleagues feel supported. Experiencing infertility is a huge emotional roller coaster, but when you have unexplained infertility, this can have a negative impact on mental health.

     

    Fertility In The Workplace – Trauma & Infertility

    Tuesday 19th March, 7pm

    Most people do not make the connection between infertility and trauma, yet many will experience different levels of trauma which have a lasting impact, even after successful pregnancies.

     

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    We are supported by the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Fund, part of a partnership programme between Department of Health & Social Care, NHS England, and UK Health Security Agency, to support the government’s strategy aimed at improving Women’s Health and supporting them to remain in the workplace.

    If you have any questions, please contact FITW@fertilitynetworkuk.org
  • Yoga

    Join us from Tuesday 16th April at 8pm for the first session of our 6-week Yoga for Relaxation course.

    The yoga will be live but don’t worry, you won’t be seen or heard! The only person on screen will be our lovely instructor Bernadette King from the Peaceful Practice.

    Sessions will be held weekly at 8pm on Tuesday evenings:

    Tuesday 23 April, 8pm

    Tuesday 30 April, 8pm

    Tuesday 7 May, 8pm

    Tuesday 14 May, 8pm

    Tuesday 21 May, 8pm

    To register, simply follow this SIGN UP LINK and enter your details, you will be sent a confirmation email which will contain the webinar link. The webinar will not show your video, you will only see our team and Bernadette. If you require any additional information or have any queries please email england@fertilitynetworkuk.org

    Watch past recordings here.

    What does the class include?

    Yoga is an excellent therapy for reducing stress which is helpful to everyone. There will be a focus on breathing techniques for stress reduction and enhancing fertility. The yoga postures are all suitable for trying to conceive. Each class will finish with a relaxation and meditation specifically for fertility.

    What do I need?

    • A yoga mat if you have one (a soft floor/carpeted area if not)
    • Some comfortable clothes that you can move/stretch in
    • A cushion for support
    • A long scarf
    • A large blanket for the relaxation session

     

    Who is this class suitable for?

    Our yoga classes are suitable for all stages of the menstrual cycle including the two week wait; and our yoga instructor will endeavour to highlight throughout the class where to make slight adjustments according to where you are in your cycle and if you are menstruating. However, fertility yoga is NOT suitable for pregnancy – including early pregnancy following a positive pregnancy test – so if you have a positive pregnancy test, we would recommend you seek out a pregnancy yoga class.

    Fertility-focused yoga is extremely complementary to Assisted Reproductive Technology, however, if you are currently going through fertility treatment we recommend that you avoid the physical yoga postures (asanas) for a period of 48 hours post retrieval and post implantation and thereafter you can begin the physical practice again during the two week wait.

    Of course, the meditation and pranayama (breathing techniques) are always safe to practice and you can partake in these at the beginning and end of the class.

    If you are using stimulation drugs you may feel uncomfortable in some positions, particularly prone (lying on your tummy) so please be mindful of this and do not do any postures that cause you too much discomfort.

  • Mindfulness

    Mindfulness can help us to build resilience, stability and connection during these very  difficult times. It can help us to find balance and even joy amidst uncertainty and worry. Through the practice of mindfulness we learn how to take care of our stress so that it doesn’t overwhelm us and in so doing we learn how to take care of each other.

    Who is this suitable for?

    Our free Mindfulness programmes are suitable for beginners and for those who have already some mindfulness experience. Hosted on Zoom, the programme will include a course e-manual along with recordings of the mindfulness practices to use each week at home between sessions.

    Many participants have remarked on the feeling of connection and intimacy that they have experienced from attending the online meditations and classes since the start of the pandemic.

    How to join

    These courses are free to attend but places tend to be limited and registration is essential. Please follow us on social media to be the first to find out when the next course is planned or sign up to our wellbeing mailing list above for updates on all our wellbeing programmes.

    Testimonials

    ‘The pandemic has been very isolating for me, as for many others, and it has been very positive to make new friends via the network.  The mindfulness course was genuinely life-changing for me. I’ve tried counselling many times and whilst useful, it really doesn’t compare to what I have gained from Veronica’s course.’

    ‘Thank you so much, I truly enjoyed and have learnt and taken so much from it. It is changing my life. And you are wonderful Veronica, thank you so much.’

    For many years I have tried mindfulness, ‘self-taught’ using various apps.  However, the course really taught me what mindfulness is and how to practice. The 2 key factors for me were being taught by someone so experienced; and the second was doing it in a group.  I think the enquiry sessions reinforced what happens when you practice.’

    Thanks for providing such a great class. I am so grateful for it. Veronica is a fantastic teacher’

    ‘Learning a lot about myself and just great to have that support and connectivity that we are all craving at the moment.’

    For more information on mindfulness, watch this webinar with Veronica Ellis.

  • Nutrition

    Diet is an important tool for both men and women when trying to conceive. Whether you’re trying to improve your reproductive health and boost your chances as a result, or reaching a target weight for treatment, our four-week nutrition workshops are designed to inform, motivate and help you stay on track.

    How to join

    These courses are free to attend but places tend to be limited and registration is essential. Please follow us on social media to be the first to find out when the next course is planned or sign up to our wellbeing mailing list above for updates on all our wellbeing programmes.

    For more information on nutrition, watch this webinar with nutritionist Sarah Trimble.

    If you are seeking support for weight loss as part of your fertility journey, you can also join our Fertility Weight Loss Group for peer-to-peer support. Find out more here