Major new award from Big Lottery Fund

Susan Seenan, Infertility Network UK’s chief executive said: ‘This is fantastic news for service users and the charity. The Awards for All England funding will help extend the advice and support we offer for the one in six couples, and individuals, who are experiencing fertility problems. It will enable Infertility Network UK to construct a new website, improving our reach, and allowing us to provide much-needed support for many more service users.’

Ms Seenan added: ‘The charity’s new website aims to provide a comprehensive source of information and support for all those struggling with fertility problems at whatever stage of their journey. We also look forward to offering support and advice on fertility education: how to protect your fertility and what can affect it.’

• Infertility Network UK provides practical and emotional support, and authoritative information and advice for the one in six couples, and others, in the UK struggling to conceive. The charity works to raise the profile and understanding of fertility issues and to push for timely and equitable provision of fertility treatment throughout the UK.
• This year’s National Fertility Awareness Week is 31 Oct – 6 Nov. Join us in raising awareness of the #1in6 couples and others struggling to become parents.
• Infertility Network UK provides a national fertility support line: call 0121-323-5025.
• Infertility Network UK supports people. We rely on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. You can donate now by visiting www.infertilitynetworkuk.com
• Do you know the top five fertility facts?

1. 1 in 6 couples in the UK struggle to become parents (source: European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology).
2. 1 in 50 births in the UK are as a result of fertility treatment (source: Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority).
3. On average, 1 in 4 fertility-treatment cycles are successful; however, this varies dependent on age. Aged less than 35, the success rate is 32 per cent; between 35-37 it is 28 per cent; between 38-39 it is 21 per cent; between  40-42 it is 14 per cent and over 43 it is 5 per cent. (source: Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority).
4. Fertility issues are as likely to be caused by male fertility factors as female fertility factors: approximately one-third are male in origin; one-third female in origin and the remaining one-third are a mixture of unexplained fertility problems and both female and male problems (source: Resolve).
5. 9 out of 10 people struggling with fertility problems show signs of depression (source: Fertility Fairness).

• The Big Lottery Fund supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK. We are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes.

• Since June 2004 we have awarded over £8 billion to projects that change the lives of millions of people. Every year we fund 13,000 small local projects tackling big social problems like poor mental health and homelessness.

• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £34 billion has been raised and more than 450,000 grants awarded.