Posts Tagged ‘support groups London’

SO… here I am day 5 of my brand new role as Fertility support coordinator for the London Women’s clinic and its been an amazing few days on so many levels .

A bit of background needed though first in that this is a role I have been in negotiations regarding for quite some time and in many ways is a continuation of the work I have been doing from home .

 Except that I don’t have to empty the dishwasher here and don’t have a cat permanently trying to sit on my keyboard …

The clinic is a fantastic one and I have had many clients come here over the years and report back encouraging things .

I think as a clinic they really are trying to move away from people feeling like they are on a conveyor belt to  being really listened to and supported through treatment

( “ I am not a number “ I hear you cry !! ) .

 Which is where my role fits in as Fertility support coordinator .

I am here to see clients individually , to run a support group and set up new workshops on such issues as stress management and coping when treatment fails .

I am also here for people to just drop in on and let off a bit of steam . And steam there often is during treatment …

Basically it is a role I am chuffed to bits to be doing and one which I hope will make a  difference to patients welfare .

So thats the overview ..here are some of the highlights from these last few weeks ..

• Met a lovely young lady about to sign up as a donor because she had been moved by reading of the need for egg donors out there . What a fantastic thing to be doing , and what an inspirational route to be taking to help others

 

• Met up with the rest of the staff here and again amazed at the great work they are doing . From the receptionist who always makes an effort even at the busiest of times to the VERY hard working nurses  , these people really are making a difference .

 

• Managed to brave it into to the staff room ( felt about 12 yrs old !) to meet members of staff ..all very friendly and supportive and managed to regain composure enough to feel 36 again ..

 

• Written various pieces for the LWC  magazine

 

• Met several new patients in waiting room and office for quick chats all at various stages of treatment . Peoples stories and paths to parenthood never cease to move and inspire me . And to remind me that we are not alone in our fertility issues .

 

• Set up plans for a new support group here at the clinic to be started and launched in next few weeks …

 

• Had large physical battle with the tea machine in waiting area and WON …1-0 to me in the battle to make a decent cuppa …YESSS !

 

More than anything I have realised again the enormity of what people face when going through infertility . The daily sadness , mingled with hope , determination and resolve . And realised again the sheer number of people facing this issue .

There is such a lot of support out there . from places like the London Women’s clinic , to the Wonderful work of INUK ( www.theinfertilitynetworkuk.com ) , to the great people using Twitter to raise awareness and comprehension .

Though lonely and frustrating there is help and support to be found .

I hope to be a part of that help and look forward to what the next few months and years will bring .

All best wishes

Anya

Fertility support coordinator and champion of the Tea machine at the London Women’s clinic

I ran the central London fertility support group last night and was left again realising the huge strength that there is in numbers .

We had around 16 people come , some new faces some old ( not literally ..they were actually a very attractive bunch ! ) all at various stages of the Infertility journey .

We shared frustrations , tears , anger , confusion and wonderfully there was actually quite  a bit of laughter . And I think most people left feeling so much stronger and better equipped for the next stage .

During my own battle with Infertility I found strength and support in a variety of places . Some obvious ones like the wonderful INUK ( www.infertilitynetworkuk.com ) and ACEBABES . Some more serendipitous ones like the email friend I made at the national infertility day .

But I made sure I was supported .

Most recently I have made a very dear friend who has been through such a lot herself and works as a counsellor for fertility issues , Julia Bueno (www.juliabueno.co.uk ) who I only wish I had known  a few years back .

There were certainly times when people said the most amazingly crass and insensitive things ( ” Can you please just cheer up now , so we can all be happy again ..”) But actually there were some hugely moving moments of care too .

For example the friend who just turned up one day with chocolates and magazines , or the many many prayers that people said when we had run out of faith ourselves . These moments of support were like Gold to us and still mean an incredible amount .

It was that same feeling last night at the group that was jut so tangible . People with more than enough on their plates actually bothering to not only listen but to swap ideas , and tips and genuine hope for positive outcomes .

The strange thing with Infertility , as with many many life challenges is that it brings to the surface not just the difficult stuff , but also the moments of genuine goodness . When we notice that we are not alone and that people can REALLY care for us and our situation .

Thankyou again to the central London Support group for helping me realise this anew .

Best Wishes

Anya