Approximately 3.5 million (around 1 in 6) men and women across the UK are affected by a fertility issue and the physical, emotional, and financial impacts are significant. Work and relationships can suffer, and feelings of isolation are common.
Infertility has a wide range of causes, and there are many different treatments ranging from drug therapy to assisted conception. It can have a devastating impact on people’s lives, with 90 per cent reporting feelings of depression.
Many people suffering from infertility are reluctant to speak to their employer about it, because they fear doing so will detrimentally affect their career. An understanding workplace environment can positively impact the overall experience of contending with the emotional and physical rigours of infertility.
Anyone affected by fertility issues
Employers and HR professionals, to increase their knowledge to support staff
Anyone who wants to know more to support a friend or loved one who is affected
You will receive joining instructions and a link closer to the date of the event.
10.00am – Welcome – Fflur Jones, Darwin Gray
10.05am – Alice Matthews, Regional Co-ordinator for Wales, Fertility Network UK
10.20am – Dr Arianna D’Angelo, MD – Consultant in Assisted Conception, Wales Fertility Institute and Honorary Senior Lecturer, Cardiff University
10.35am – Helen Corsi-Cadmore, business consultant, coach and fertility coach, IVF Essentials
10.50am – Fflur Jones, Partner and Head of Employment & HR, Darwin Gray
11.05am – Panel Q&A – AS to facilitate if needed
11.30am – Close
Alice has worked within the charity sector for over 14 years providing advocacy, support and engagement for those affected by discrimination and health issues. She joined Fertility Network UK in 2016 to develop the service across Wales and coordinate a team to provide 1-1 support, Wales-specific pathway and NHS funding information, and access to a network of peer support through monthly meetings and online courses.
Alice’s aim is to reduce feelings of isolation and the social stigma associated with infertility, improving knowledge and understanding of reproductive health and fertility treatment within society, from education to the workplace.
Arianna has more than 20 years’ experience and publications in Assisted Reproduction and Ultrasound and has recently released her first textbook in this field.
After obtaining her MD in Reproductive Medicine at the University Hospital of Palermo (Italy), she trained in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff (UK) where she currently works as Consultant at Wales Fertility Institute.
Arianna is a Senior Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Cardiff University and is also the ESHRE UK Clinician National representative and a member of the ESHRE Ethics Committee.
Helen is a multi-award-winning business consultant, coach and fertility coach, who is passionate about helping others succeed. An entrepreneur from a young age, Helen has been recognised as a top young business professional in Wales.
Helen is also a results-based certified coach and NLP certified practitioner as well as a strategic advisor to start ups, SME’s and corporates on business growth, scale, team, exiting strategies and more.
She is also a strategic volunteer for the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, a charity very close to her heart.
Fflur is Head of the Employment law and HR team at Cardiff-based commercial law firm, Darwin Gray. Fflur advises on all aspects of employment law, and has a particular expertise and interest in discrimination law.
As well as being a regular contributor to radio and TV programmes, Fflur is an experienced trainer, having delivered courses on a wide range of employment law topics, including Equality and Diversity, and Managing Difficult Conversations in the Workplace. She is also a regular speaker at functions and conferences on issues surrounding mental health in the workplace
