National Fertility Awareness Week

Every November, the fertility community comes together to put the focus firmly on fertility. Fertility Week seeks to change perceptions, provide support and raise funds for everyone struggling with fertility issues.

Not being able to have the family you yearn for can be a traumatic and incredibly isolating experience. Far too often people struggle in silence with fertility issues but together – sharing stories and experiences – we can change perceptions, provide support and raise funds to help others. We are stronger together.

Fertility Week is a chance to challenge the taboos and myths around infertility and raise awareness of the devastating physical, emotional and social impact fertility problems wreak.

Fertility Week 2025 will be

Monday 3 – Friday 8 November

Make a date in your diary and join us to raise awareness challenge perceptions and do some fundraising too!

Get Involved!

There are 3.5 million people in the UK dealing with fertility issues. The Fertility Network is here to support them, but we can’t do it without your help.

Simply get a group of people together, get some tea and cakes, play the exclusive Fertili-Tea Quiz and raise some money for Fertility Network!

Fertility Network | Will you ho ld a Fertili-Tea? | Fertility Network (fertilitynetworkuk.org)

Take on our ‘One Step at a Time’ fundraising challenge this NFAW and support the one in six of us who will face a personal fertility challenge. Commit to walking 10,000 steps a day for the whole week and every penny you raise will help Fertility Network to be there to make sure no one has to face this challenge alone.

Walk the walk so we can talk the talk.

One Step at a Time Challenge | Fertility Network (fertilitynetworkuk.org),

Join us on Social Media:

Facebook

Fertility Network UK (@fertilitynetworkuk) • Instagram photos and videos

Catch up on YouTube

National Fertility Awareness Week 2024

There are 3.5 million people in the UK facing fertility issues, and our aim is to make sure everyone on a fertility journey, whatever stage they’re at, has the support and information they need.

For Fertility Week 2024, FNUK focused on the impact fertility issues have on mental health and wellbeing. We raised awareness about this and highlighted how we all have a part to play in supporting people on their fertility journey and helping them to look after their mental wellbeing.

In 2024 the theme for this week was #FertilityinMind. We heard about your experiences, the support you need, and how we can work together on mental health and wellbeing.

Fertility Week: raising awareness, signposting support, and fundraising for our cause.

#FertilityinMind – What’s On

During Fertility Awareness Week, we looked at the impact of fertility issues on mental health and wellbeing and provided information, support, and events for the following communities:

Infertility and trauma survey

At the start of Fertility Week, we released information around our major new survey looking at the prevalence of experiences of trauma among fertility patients and what can be done to improve support for infertility-related trauma. The survey of nearly 900 patients was in collaboration with the British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA) and researchers at Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University and Queen’s University Belfast.

Read the article and access support here

If you have experience of infertility-related trauma and are able to share your story with the media in order to help raise awareness of this issue, please email media@fertilitynetworkuk.org with brief details of your experience, noting where you live and the best way to contact you.

Ethnic Minorities Communities.

This National Fertility Awareness Week 2024, we explored the psychological impact of infertility among minority ethnic communities. Evidence shows that more diversity, equity and inclusion within research and fertility services including psychological support, is needed.

Ethnic Minorities Communities: An Intro to Emotional First Aid Kit

In this online webinar for people from ethnic minority communities, Coach and Emotional Freedom Practitioner – Pamella Onoriode shared her unique approach for reducing stress and emotional distress, at anytime, anywhere or any place.

The Psychological Impact of Infertility in Ethnic Minority Communities – Our Stories!

Our specialist webinar, The psychological impact of infertility – Our Stories! featured beneficiaries lived experiences. Highlighting how infertility/fertility issues impact their mental health. Members of our ethnic minority communities’ groups shared their perspectives on living with fertility issues and their mental health.

A panel of guest speakers from ethnic minority communities, discuss their lived experiences of infertility related distress and trauma. We heard about the need for mental health support and ways of supporting your mental health when on a fertility journey.

This webinar raises awareness of how ethnic minority communities, who are often underrepresented in research are impacted by and cope with infertility related distress and trauma.

LGBTQ+

Many LGBTQ+ people will access fertility treatment to have their family. However, we know that access to funding is not equal and many LGBTQ+ people have to fund their treatment themselves. Join us as we shine a light on the negative impacts this can have on the mental health of LGBTQ+ across the UK.

We shared patient testimonials, LGBTQ+ webinar recordings, current campaigns, and information on NHS entitlement as an LGBTQ+ person where you live. The day culminated in a free online webinar where we were joined by LGBTQ+ people and organisations talking through their different experiences of accessing fertility treatment; the impact of funding and treatment on their mental health; and why fertility justice for this population is needed.

Find out more about our LGBTQ+ support groups here

Fertility in the Workplace

As part of our Fertility in Mind campaign, we invited you to a special lunch break webinar for women in the workplace who are navigating fertility challenges. In just one hour, attendees learnt practical, effective techniques to balance body and mind during this demanding time.

Take a moment to prioritise your well-being and gain valuable tools to support your fertility journey.

Watch the recording here

Find out more about what Fertility in the Workplace can do for you, either as an employer or an employee, here

More To Life

More To Life is for those who are childless by circumstance, not by choice. There was a pre-recorded video from Jessica Hepburn and Caroline Stafford discussing the impact of being CNBC and managing mental wellbeing in these difficult circumstances.

Watch the video here

Find out more about our More To Life Community and support here

HIMfertility

Join us in celebrating National Fertility Week with the #MaleFertilityInMind campaign!

Pre-recorded video: A Man’s Guide to Surviving the World of Fertility

Focusing on how to manage the challenges associated with all things fertility, keeping within our theme for this 2024’s National Fertility Awareness Week of ‘FertilityinMind’. We discussed the emotional impact it has on men, the impact it can have on relationships, self-worth, juggling work and a fertility journey and/or treatment. Gain insights from our speakers and hints and tips of what men can do to help them survive and navigate through their own fertility journey.