Tiny Seeds Jersey

This year has seen Tiny Seeds continue to grow and establish its roots as the only organisation in Jersey providing fertility support and awareness for islanders who are facing a challenge to build their family. Yet infertility is a subject that, even as we head into 2025, still carries with it a lingering stigma. In this article, Chloé Fosse Governor & Founder, Tiny Seeds shares ways you can support those who are navigating one of the most difficult times in their lives.

As businesses plan for the year ahead, have you considered the impact your organisation could make to a Jersey charity? ✨ Could you make Tiny Seeds your Charity of the Year?✨ Your help will enable us to continue to support individuals experiencing fertility struggles. In 2024 we: 🌱 Supported over 400 individuals through our closed Facebook groups 🌱 Hosted 6-weekly Mindful Making & Wellbeing Sessions 🌱 Hosted a community event fundraising £4,500 while also spreading awareness of Tiny Seeds and the support we offer 🌱 Provided 69, £400 Travel Grants to the value of £27,600 This year, we were delighted to be nominated by Mourant, Park Personnel and WHITELEY ASSOCIATION JERSEY as their chosen Charity of the Year. For 2025, we need to raise at least £20,000 to guarantee the continuation of our travel grants throughout the year. If you’d like to discuss the difference you can make/how you can help, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!

We are seeking 2 skilled and enthusiastic individuals to join our Board of Governors in 2025. Fulfilling the voluntary role of either Company Secretary or Treasurer you would play an integral part in helping to shape the future of Tiny Seeds, while making a real difference for individuals and couples navigating a struggle to bring home a baby. 💼 Bring your expertise. 💖 Share your passion. 🌱 Make an impact. Are you ready to help Tiny Seeds grow? To express your interest in one of these roles please email Chloé on [email protected] We would love to hear from you! Volunteer Company Secretary role description here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eCKmgTtP Volunteer Treasurer role description here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e3ZhQvC8 #charityboard #fertilitycharity #joinourteam

Thank you to the Jersey Round Table for choosing Tiny Seeds as one of three charities to benefit from the Round Table Ball on Saturday. On the evening our Chairman Danielle Carpenter shared a little more information about why our charity was established and the support that it offers. Tiny Seeds was created to ensure that no one on this island has to face the difficulties of fertility struggles alone. We are determined to continue to grow further, expand our services and support those navigating one of the most difficult times of their lives. It’s support such as this which helps us to continue our mission to do so and we are so grateful. Thank you Jersey Round Table for hosting such a wonderful evening - we had a fantastic time and were wowed by the entertainment! #fundraising #charitysupport #chosencharity #jerseyci

On Friday the States Assembly approved the Government Plan for 2025-2028, this included the newly allocated budget for IVF funding. This is excellent news for those who meet the proposed new access criteria and means that from January 2025, these people will now be able to access up to 3 funded cycles of IVF. Given that until now, we have not heard of a single person to qualify for the previous outdated Government funding, we recognise this as a significant step forward. However, from the results of our IVF Eligibility survey we also understand that there sadly remain a significant proportion of people who will still not qualify even with the new criteria and indeed, as it currently stands will also lose their access to funded medication. Following further engagement with Government of Jersey on this, we have been reassured that while they have taken a cautious approach due to current uncertainties around the demand for the service, they will be implementing a detailed monitoring system from 1st January 2025, allowing them to track the demand during the first 4 months of the year. We have received in writing, assurance that if the demand is lower than anticipated, or if the cost of IVF can be lowered following currently ongoing negotiations with UK clinics, then they will review and amend the criteria accordingly. This does come with the caveat that this may include further tightening if the demand is higher than expected, but we hope very much this is not something that would need to happen. If demand is lower than anticipated then there are number of potential changes the Government may make to the criteria including (in no priority order): - funding IVF for couples with confirmed hereditary diseases - discounting some or all privately funded IVF cycles - amending restrictions on children from previous relationships - extending provision to single women - adjusting the current requirement for self-funded IUI for same-sex female couples - reinstating free access to IVF medication, regardless of whether the person meets the criteria We hope that this brings reassurance to those who currently remain outside of the criteria that the continual review from January could see this widened within time (although we of course know, that when facing a fertility struggle, time is often not something we have available to us). Tiny Seeds will be kept informed of any progress and we will let you know as soon as we hear of any updates or changes. #ivffunding #ivf #fertilitysupport #fertilityaccess #jerseyci

This is Adam Fosse. He is the husband of Tiny Seeds’ Founder, Chloé Fosse and today is his 40th Birthday! Over the past few years, Adam has already gone above and beyond for Tiny Seeds. From fronting campaigns, to washing dishes at events - he’s always on hand where needed helping everything run smoothly. But now he’s taking on a solo challenge for the charity and in April next year, will be running the London Marathon in support of Tiny Seeds! He isn’t finding it easy (he’s been known to hop on a bus when he’s reached his limit!). But training is in full swing and he is determined that he will complete the gruelling 26 mile run in support of our Charity. He has promised Chloé that he will not be using a red bus tour to get to the finish line! Please join us in wishing Adam a very Happy Birthday and in saying a huge thank you for his support 🎉🎂 If you would like to make a donation to Adam’s fundraising effort, or read more about why he is supporting Tiny Seeds please visit his JustGiving page here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eX5Sixb4 #londonmarathon2025 #marathontraining #thisis40 #fertilitysupport #charityfundraiser #happybirthday

Have you watched Joy? What did you think? The Netflix film released last week shines a light on the trio who pioneered the development of IVF. It’s an emotional watch with Jean Purdy’s own inability to conceive highlighted throughout. Her compassion and care for the women putting themselves through the clinical trials (hero’s paving the way for others knowing there was very little chance of their own success) only enhanced because of it. Watching her witness the birth of the world’s first IVF baby then taking herself to the toilet for a cry, steadying herself and then returning to the celebrations was a heartbreaking moment. A moment that stood out because we know how many people watching will have done similar. Maybe not at quite such a pioneering moment in history but amongst us in everyday life when - in the office, at family gatherings, out with friends - it all gets a bit too much. There is a community formed amongst the group of women going through the first clinical trials and it was a heartwarming yet bittersweet moment watching the Ovum Club take a trip to the seaside. A club no one wanted to be in, but it did make us proud to know that we are doing our bit within our own community to bring together and support those who are facing the same battles now. The film highlights the backlash faced by Purdy, Steptoe and Edward’s, accusing them of playing god alongside a lack of recognition of the need for their work and the treatment. Sadly beliefs that are still held by some today, nearly 50 years on. But thanks to that trio of scientists and to the people who put themselves through those early trials, IVF now exists. Bringing hope to others who find themselves in the club too. Joy is well and sensitively done, in no small part we are sure, down to the writers’ own personal experience with infertility. Because if you’ve been through it you know, don’t you? You just get it. And we are grateful that this film will help others who don’t know, understand a bit better too. #joy #ivf #infertility #hope

Wow! Look at the figures from a recent Freedom of Information Request that has been brought to our attention. There were nearly 100 fewer births in Jersey during January to September 2024 than there were in the same 9 month period last year. 159 fewer than the same time period in 2019. We already know that Jersey’s total fertility rate is amongst the lowest in the world, that the rise in cost of living is impacting on the number of children people are having and that people on average start building their families later in Jersey - likely not simply down to choice, but but due to circumstantial factors as well. Unfortunately we do not yet have the statistics for the number of children born following fertility treatment in more recent years, but we do know that in 2019, 5.2% of all births were a result of assisted reproductive treatment of some kind. This is not an insignificant number - there were 880 births in the island that year, which means 45 of those babies born wouldn’t be here without the treatment. The results of our recent IVF Eligibility Survey found that without access to funded IVF, 38% of our 80 respondents would not be able to undergo the treatment. We can all do the maths on this. Jersey’s population is in decline, yet there are people struggling, desperate to grow their families who are not getting a fair chance at being able to do so. While we are grateful that positive steps are now being taken by our Government to improve access to IVF funding for some, we strongly believe that it would benefit all islanders if those steps were bigger and widened to benefit even more people who want to grow their families in Jersey. #birthsinjersey #fertilityrates #costofliving #fertilityfunding #fertilitysupport #jerseyci

🌱 Our Free Fertility Support Options 🌱 If you’re navigating fertility struggles or treatment, you’re not alone but we know that often it can feel like you are. Tiny Seeds is here to support you with a range of completely free options whatever stage you are at: 🎧 Podcast: Tiny Seeds Talking – Honest conversations about fertility journeys, with insights, advice and encouragement. 👉 https://tinyseeds.je/media 📱 Private Facebook Group – A welcoming, confidential space to share, ask questions and connect with others who understand. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eTzk7Fzz 🎨 Mindful Making Sessions – Join us for relaxing sessions to learn a new skill, share experiences, and find support in a safe space. 💻 Website – Packed with advice, resources, and tips to help you every step of the way. 👉 www.tinyseeds.je 🤝 1-to-1 Meetings & Phone Calls – we are always happy to chat one to one with anyone needing support or advice. 👭 Pregnancy Support – Dedicated groups for those pregnant after fertility challenges, offering understanding and a place to connect. 🏢 Workplace Guidance – Supporting employers to create fertility friendly workplaces, fostering understanding and offering guidance to better support employees facing a struggle to bring home a baby. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eakE5DW5 You don’t have to do this alone. Whether you’re seeking information, connections, or just someone to listen, we’re here for you. 💚 Visit our website or drop us a message to find out more. #FertilitySupport #YouAreNotAlone #jerseyci

A huge thank you to Mourant for hosting us this morning and giving Chloé Fosse the opportunity to share an insight into our Charity and the support we offer. We couldn’t do what we do without the ongoing support of organisations like Mourant, recognising the importance of our work and helping us to raise much-needed funds. A special mention must also go to Julia-Anne Dix for sharing her own powerful story this morning - never an easy thing to do, but it was incredibly impactful to hear her speak about her own struggles so openly in the hope of helping others to feel less alone.