#Forward4Fertility
Join us in raising awareness and moving #Forward4Fertility during this year’s Fertility Week.
30 October – 5 November 2023
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.
This year’s Fertility Week is very special as we’re celebrating 20 years of Fertility Network. It’s an opportunity for us to look back and reflect on how far fertility treatment and support for fertility challenges has come, but very importantly, it’s the moment to look forward and highlight what still needs to change.
That’s why this year’s theme is #Forward4Fertility. We want to hear from you about the change you want to see, the support you need, and how we can work together to create a better fertility future.
Fertility Week: changing perceptions, signposting support, and fundraising for our cause.
WHAT’S ON DURING THE WEEK
MONDAY 30TH OCTOBER – COST OF LIVING SURVEY
#FertilityFairness
Leading up to Fertility Week, we have been running our Cost-of-Living survey which gathers information about how the cost-of-living crisis has impacted fertility patients. The results of the survey will be released on the first day of Fertility Week, followed by discussions around the fertility patient experience and what needs to be done to help people navigate their fertility journey in times of economic uncertainty.
Join us on Instagram @fertilitynetworkuk at 2pm on Monday 20th October to discuss the results of our COL survey.
TUESDAY 31ST OCTOBER – ETHNIC MINORITIES
#FertilityEquity
Shockingly, injustice in infertility is a real experience for many people from ethnic minority backgrounds. It has been found that people from racially marginalised communities having poorer access, experiences and outcomes in fertility care and treatment.
Join us in fighting to address the concerning disparities in fertility treatment as we host a panel discussion on Fertility & Health Inequalities with actress, musician and theatre-maker, Avital Raz (additional guest speakers TBC).
We will also be sharing content from contributors and community members to highlight stories of ethnic minorities and cover different stages, pathways and reflections of members’ fertility journeys.
WEDNESDAY 1ST NOVEMBER – MORE TO LIFE
#ChildlessNotByChoice
BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE
Many men and women are childless by circumstance and not by choice, causing huge emotional impact and the need for increased awareness and support.
During Fertility Week, we will be sharing the many experiences of our More to Life community, as well as signposting the support available via the My Journey App.
We will also be hosting a webinar with guest speaker Jessica Hepburn, who will be talking about her experience of being childless not by choice, and reflecting on how her experiences and adventure have changed her life.
#HIMFertility
Men account for around half of all infertility problems, hence the importance of speaking up about fertility being more than just a women’s issue.
Throughout the day, we will be on a mission to amplify male voices and emphasise the importance of nutrition for men’s wellbeing.
Join us for our online session, hosted by Regan Heatly, which will address what foods, drinks and supplements can help men’s health, well-being and fertility. Regan will also touch on sleep, anxiety, depression, low mood, food timing, eating cost-effectively, and more.
THURSDAY 2ND NOVEMBER – LGBTQ+
#LGBTFamily
The biggest barrier facing LGBTQ+ couples is significant lack of funding in NHS fertility treatment, especially in England, creating an unfair and unequal pathway to parenthood.
Join us during our Q&A webinar to learn more about the support available during your fertility journey as an LGBTQ+ person, as well as hear from guest speakers Michael from 2 Dads UK, Laura-Rose from LGBT Mummies and Bethan Shoemark-Spear from FNUK.
Throughout the day, we will also be signposting our Pathways to Parenthood, Trans Fertility Preservation, and How to Select an Egg or Sperm Donor webinars, as well as information about fertility access across the UK. We will also be sharing stories and testimonials from our LGBTQ+ fertility community.
FRIDAY 3RD NOVEMBER – FERTILITY IN THE WORKPLACE
#FertilityintheWorkplace
Many employers do not recognise fertility treatment as necessary medical treatment and there is no legal right to time off work for fertility appointments. This shows how far we have to go in educating society and employers about the importance of fertility support within the workplace.
Join us on Friday 3rd November for some great Wellbeing in the Workplace support and information:
7am – Morning Mindfulness Session with Veronica Ellis, to promote healthy mental wellbeing to begin your day. Find out more here
12pm – Join us Live on Instagram @feritlityintheworkplace for a fireside chat and Q&A with FITW team members, Seema & Sarah, who will be chatting about Fertility in the Workplace and answering your frequently asked questions. Submit your questions 24 hours in advance in our ‘Ask Us Anything’ session on Instagram.
2pm – Power through the remainder of your working week with a relaxing Wellbeing in the Workplace session, ‘Yoga afternoon reset’, to boost your energy and see you gently in to the weekend. Find out more here
SUNDAY 5TH NOVEMBER – EDUCATION
#FertilityEd
In 2023, fertility education for young people remains limited. We are calling for comprehensive fertility education for teenagers and young adults so they understand fertility isn’t a guarantee, how age and lifestyle impact fertility, and appreciate the limits of fertility treatments, including IVF and egg freezing.
During Fertility Week, we will be sharing comments gathered from students at Freshers events across the various regions, as well as showcasing the 8 well-being factors we use to educate young people.
When it comes to fertility education, there is a lot of misinformation. Join us in discussing and debunking the many fertility myths.
Promotional Assets:
HOW YOU CAN HELP
HELP US FUNDRAISE
Get #Fit4Fertility with us during September and October 2023.
Fertility Network wants to support patients by encouraging them to make healthy lifestyle choices, including increasing their fitness to support them physically and emotionally on their fertility journey.
We need the support of clinics to do this, and we are challenging every UK clinic to get the most people signed up to #Fit4Fertility. Choose your sport – walk, run, cycle or swim – and commit to do the distance – 1K or 5K – and the frequency that suits you – daily or weekly.
This challenge can be started anytime however the clinic winners will be decided on 28th October 2022.
Contact sharon@fertilitynetworkuk.org for more info.
HOLD A FERTILI-TEA AND FUNDRAISE FOR US
Brew like you’ve never brewed before. Everything seems better after a cup of tea, so we’re asking patients, the public and fertility clinics to host a Fertili-Tea, selling tea and maybe fertility-themed cakes to friends, family and colleagues. Contact sharon@fertilitynetworkuk.org for more info.
