We're half way through National Fertility Awareness Week, something many of you know is close to my heart. The focus this year is #FertilityinMind focusing on the impact fertility issues have on mental health and wellbeing. In Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government the Gender Equality Network is sharing a series of blogs from colleagues every day this week, exploring what did make - or could have made - a positive difference for them at work while they were experiencing fertility issues. We also held a drop in information and support session on Tuesday, and it was a privilege to speak at that and hear others' experiences. For wider Civil Service colleagues, please do look at the programme of events in the post below that the brilliant Heather Wareing has co-ordinated. I know first hand what a difference accessing a supportive community like this can make.
Tax Admin Strategy Analysis Team Leader at HM Revenue & Customs Chair of Civil Service Infertility Support Community Infertility awareness, with some statistics and analysis thrown in for good measure.
NATIONAL FERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK - PROGRAMME OF EVENTS National Fertility Awareness Week (NFAW) will take place between Monday 4th November and Sunday 10th November; to mark this, the Civil Service Infertility Support Community will be running four sessions aimed at raising awareness and solidarity for colleagues dealing with infertility or undergoing fertility treatment. Monday 4th November, 12-1pm We are delighted to be joined by Clare Ettinghausen, Director of Strategy and Corporate Affairs at the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority (HFEA), for a session about how the HFEA can help fertility patients. Clare will talk about the HFEA’s work as a regulator, and the data that is available to help patients make the best decisions for their treatment. There will also be opportunity for Q&A. Tuesday 5th November, 12-1pm Heather Wareing (chair of the Civil Service Infertility Support Community) will run an awareness session for managers and colleagues. This session will include: - An introduction to infertility and fertility treatment; - HR policy and fertility treatment; - How managers and colleagues can support staff through fertility treatment; - An overview of the Civil Service Infertility Support Community and other available support. Thursday 7th November, 12-1pm Heather will facilitate a panel discussion with members of the infertility community, discussing lived experiences of infertility from a range of perspectives. We’ll also talk about coping mechanisms and life after infertility. This event is open to all but is centred on fostering solidarity with those dealing with infertility. The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A session. Friday 8th November, 12-1pm Heather will facilitate a panel discussion with members of the infertility community, discussing lived experience of how managers and peers can support staff experiencing infertility. This discussion will also touch on raising awareness of triggers, and what constructive support looks like. This event is open to all but is primarily focussed on education and awareness for the managers and peers of staff experiencing infertility or undergoing fertility treatment. The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A session. To book your place on these sessions, please complete the linked MS Form: https://lnkd.in/ebD3QGMF N.B. AS THIS IS AN EVENT FOR CIVIL SERVANTS, PLEASE USE A GOV.UK/CIVIL SERVICE EMAIL ACCOUNT TO REGISTER INTEREST. Please reach out with any questions - and any reshares welcome too :)