fertilitynetworkuk
ANNUAL REPORT
AND ACCOUNTS
2022-2023

‘My highlight for 2022-2023 was definitely joining the charity! I am really proud we were able 

to develop two LGBTQ+ support groups in the reporting period: one for those at the beginning of the journey and another for those who are undergoing treatment. People often tell me how much they value a safe space where they can be all of who they are without needing to explain themselves, and a space where they can seek peer support from others on their journey to parenthood.’ 

**Bethan Shoemark-Spear, Wales project worker** 

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Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

## �������� 

|1.|**Welcome**|4|
|---|---|---|
|2.|**About Fertility Network UK**|6|
|3.|**Achievements of the year**|8|
|4.|**Financial review**|29|
|5.|**Structure, governance and management**|31|
|6.|**Our plans for the future**|33|
|7.|**Thank you**|35|
|8.|**Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities**|36|
|9.|**Reference and administrative Information**|38|
|10.|**Financial statements**|38|



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## Welcome 

## **Welcome from our Chair** 

2022/2023 was a year of growth and change for the charity; trustees are proud of the work that has been achieved and are grateful to staff. 

**Jo Binding** Chair 

After growing our board at the end of March 2022, we embarked on some board training to ensure that trustees and staff understood their responsibilities under charity law. Following that training, the charity embarked on several changes to ensure the governance was as effective as it needed to be to support this incredible charity in its mission. 

The board designated funds to support the growth of the charity and to learn new and emerging skills that we would need for the future, including social media and fundraising. This year was focused around delivering that governance reform and the charity embarked on some major 

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Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

changes to ensure we were delivering against our charitable objects and within charity law. 

We want to thank all of those who supported the charity during this year of change and as we plan for our 20th anniversary. 

The charity was supported in this transformation programme by the trustees Thank you who dedicated significant amounts of time as well as by specialist charity professionals at Jo CounterCulture LLP and at McPhersons. ‘My highlight of the **The Trustees present their annual** year was the Fertility **report and the audited financial** In The Workplace Summit. It was in **statements for the year ended 31st March 2023.** City Hall in London, which is an amazing venue, and **Included within the Trustees’ report** I got to meet so many incredible **is the directors’ report as required** people. It was great listening to **by company law. Reference and** the MPs who attended, to hear **administrative information set out** what changes they are trying to **on page 38 forms part of this report.** make within parliament. It was also positive hearing the policies some **The financial statements** companies have put in place, such **comply with current statutory** as the Co-op and Autotrader. I spoke **requirements, the memorandum** to many organisations that were so **and articles of association and** enthusiastic about implementing **the Statement of Recommended** fertility policies based on the lived **Practice - Accounting and Reporting** experiences that were shared on our **by Charities: SORP applicable to** panels. It felt so rewarding knowing **charities preparing their accounts** we were helping to make change.’ **in accordance with FRS 102 (‘Charities SORP’). Sarah Dixon, Fertility in the Workplace project officer** |. 5 



## About Fertility Network UK 

## ����������� 

- Fertility Network UK is the leading charity across the UK in the provision of a comprehensive support network for those facing fertility challenges at all stages of their journey, providing information and education as well as practical and emotional support. 

## ������������� 

   - To support the needs of persons suffering from infertility through the provision of inter alia, a network of local support groups, a support line service, a website and a regular magazine and e-newsletter; 

   - To advance public education about all aspects of fertility and infertility; 

   - To raise the profile of issues concerning fertility and infertility in the media and in general, in an informed, responsible manner; and 

   - To encourage and assist continuing research of the broadest nature into infertility and its various effects. 

- To relieve the suffering from infertility particularly through the provision of information, advice, and support. 

- To uphold the provision of an equitable system of publicly-funded fertility treatment throughout the UK for all sufferers of infertility, subfertility, and secondary infertility. 

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Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

## ���������� 

**Provision of information, advice, and support to people suffering from infertility** 

Unbiased and free information on our website (www. fertilitynetworkuk.org) 

Telephone advice and support via a general ‘Information Line’ and a ‘Support Line’ staffed by former fertility nurses. 

Network of support groups across the nations, run either by team members or volunteers. Meetings are held at a frequency determined by the members, typically every month. 

Online groups and webinars, with all support activities publicised on the website and via social media. 

This year we increased services to meet the demand for support. We also post a range of content and support materials on our website. 

Workshops in conjunction with organisations to support their employees. 

**Support the provision of an equitable system of publicly-funded fertility treatment** 

Represent patients throughout the UK lobbying for fair and equitable access to NHS funding through virtual meetings with policy makers. 

We meet with MPs, MSPs, MSs and MLAs and give support for the production of Parliamentary Questions and other briefings. 

Meet with the political parties in Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland to build relationships and advocate for our service users. 

## **Advancing public education** 

We believe that fertility education is essential, not only for those experiencing fertility challenges but also for young people so that they know how to care for their future if they might wish to have children one day. 

We are engaged in several activities to raise awareness and educate the public, including working across social media and digital, TV, print and radio. 

In Scotland and Wales, the Charity undertakes education and awareness sessions at Freshers events and throughout the academic year in universities and colleges. 

**To encourage and assist research in its broadest sense into infertility and its** 

We are widely perceived as the leading national fertility patient organisation, providing patient representation on several professional committees. 

We regularly represent the patient voice on many academic and scientific research projects. 

We are founder members of the Patient Organisation Stakeholder Group (POSG). 

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## Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

## Achievements ����������� 

We hosted 

����������� with 731 participants and 7,776 views. 

A survey of nearly ����� patients explored the devastating impact on patients of infertility and its treatment. 

## **Digital impact** 

We grew our reach and engagement on social and digital channels. We now have approaching 20K followers on Instagram, 15K followers on Facebook and 13.5K followers on twitter. 

��������������������������� **rying To Conceive (TTC) community** has 40,465 active members, our More To Life (MTL) community 914 active members, and our pregnancy support community 4,033 members. 

We now have �� support groups with a total of 12,156 members. 

On our website we had on average ������new users each month. 

��������������������� is run by two former fertility nurses, available five days a week. 

It has been described on many occasions as a ‘lifeline’ by those dealing with fertility issues. Diane and Janet cannot diagnose but will try to answer and support people through their queries and worries. We supported ����� beneficiaries over the year. 

����������������������������� 

���������������gained widespread attention and support across digital and traditional broadcast media for the five days of the week. 

We gained national newspaper coverage for our survey (the Daily Telegraph, the Daily Mail, the Guardian, I News, HuffPost), magazine coverage (HR magazine, People Management) and radio and TV coverage too, including Channel 5 news, ITV News Wales, ITV News Anglia, BBC Radio Solent, BBC Radio Berkshire and others. We gave interviews and coverage featured many of our media volunteers. Woman’s Hour presenter Emma Barnett covered our survey in her weekly fertility blog/newsletter. 

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Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

In November 2022, we held a 

We were successful in 

years of funding in England with The National Lottery Community Fund – Reaching Communities England. This enabled us to expand and enhance our support services and diversify and grow our England team. 

virtual event for UK and Ireland healthcare professionals involved in fertility care, political representatives and other key stakeholders from the fertility world, to start a conversation and raise awareness about Trauma in Infertility. The event included presentations from key UK researchers and the British Infertility Counselling Association. This important research project is progressing well, with a major survey planned for the end of 2023. 

Fertility Network’s ground-breaking 

initiative, 

which aims to change the work landscape for all experiencing fertility issues, was successful in securing support from the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Fund, part of a partnership programme between Department of Health & Social Care, NHS England and UK Health Security Agency. 

This will enable us to substantially 

expand our vital work helping small and medium enterprise organisations implement fertility policies and provide support and understanding for women facing fertility treatment. 

Fertility Network was invited to speak at the 

Fertility 2023 Conference in January 2023 hosted by the British Fertility Society, the Association of Reproductive & Clinical Scientists and the Society of Reproduction and Fertility. This was held in Belfast and our Northern Ireland coordinator Hilary presented to the conference about NHS funding differences across the UK, highlighting the results from both our Fertility Network Impact Survey and the Trauma in Infertility research project we have initiated. 

Team Wales hosted a reception in February 2023 at the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff Bay raising awareness and celebrating the critical work that we 

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Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

undertake with fertility patients in Wales. The event was sponsored by Russell George MS, Shadow Minister for Health and Chair of the Welsh Parliament’s Health and Social Care committee. It was a very well-attended, wonderful day with some truly incredible fertility awareness raised and critical conversations had across the political spectrum. We were thrilled and so very encouraged to see so many people there, willing and eager to collaborate and work together to further support fertility patients in Wales. 

During the event, we discussed the critical work being undertaken with ���������������� �������� and essential projects within primary, secondary and tertiary care, as well as highlighting key areas of focus for 2023 and beyond. We also raised awareness of our essential work within education via our Fertility Education Programme – Your Future Fertility. 

Fertility Network’s ‘������������������������� ������’ summit in March 2023 brought together key campaigners, organisations, and individuals to highlight the future of reproductive health in the workplace and the pressing need for change. Speakers included MPs Nickie Aiken and Alex Davies-Jones and delegates heard about the charity’s decades of experience in enhancing understanding of the impact of infertility and its treatment, and in helping organisations large and small develop tailored fertility policies. 

������������������� ������������������� 

During the year we welcomed three new England team members: 

**London Representative:** London has far more fertility clinics than any other region of the UK and, as such, the role of the London representative is vital to increasing engagement in London, via fertility clinics, community groups and events and outreach to other relevant stakeholders. 

## **Ethnic Minority Communities Project** 

**Worker:** to engage with Ethnic Minority Communities and enable increased support to specific minority groups, alongside raising awareness of the different impacts of fertility on these communities. 

**England Project Worker:** to increase engagement and awareness across the rest of England and provide admin support in managing the additional groups and courses we have been able to introduce as part of our funding. 

We expanded our ������������������ ���������, launched in 2021. Clinic ambassadors provide a bridge between the charity and fertility clinics, promoting awareness about the wide variety of free 

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Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

support services the charity has to offer. The clinic ambassador role is open to doctors, nurses, embryologists, or counsellors. This programme has established links with 66% of all London based fertility clinics and 87% of all applicable clinics across the rest of England. 

We continue to collaborate with ���� �������������������������� including the Royal College of Nursing, Donor Conception Network, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), The British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA), NGA Law, and fertility clinics. 

Our feedback in England from participants shows: 

- **82%** of people who have attended our meetings or webinars felt they were more knowledgeable about the subject after the meeting than prior to attending. 

- **88%** of people felt better after attending a meeting/webinar. 

- **85%** of people who were struggling prior to the meeting/webinar felt better equipped to deal with things after attending. 

- **97%** of people feel supported by Fertility Network UK. 

- **100%** of people would recommend Fertility Network UK meetings to others on a fertility journey. 

Team Wales developed a new and exciting ��������������������� – a deeply emotional expression of infertility through poetry and photography by the people we support. Professionals in photography and creative writing led a series of four workshops for those looking for a safe space to share and express emotions while on their fertility journey. Some of the incredible work produced at the workshops was showcased during National Fertility Awareness Week and at our Senedd meeting in February 2022. 

Team Northern Ireland is collaborating with Queen’s University, Belfast to develop a research project ‘���������������������’, investigating the incidence and impact that fertility issues have on the social and emotional wellbeing of those affected, with particular regard to psychological trauma. 

���������������� �������� 

Our project ‘���������������������’ educates young people on lifestyle choices which could impact their future fertility. The project has continued to grow successfully in Scotland and Wales supported by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery Community Fund Wales, respectively. 

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Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 


���������������� ������ 

We worked with MP Nickie Aiken supporting her �������������������� ������������������������������������� ���� which was presented to parliament in June 2022. However, a second reading was interrupted. We are continuing to work with Ms Aiken, supporting her voluntary scheme for organisations – the fertility workplace pledge – which encourages employers to pledge to provide the support and understanding fertility patients need from their workplace. 

The UK government published its first ����������������������������������� in July 2022, aimed at improving healthcare for women and girls across England. Fertility Network UK made a submission in response to a call for evidence which generated almost 100,000 responses. The responses highlighted a need for greater focus on women-specific health conditions, including fertility and pregnancy loss, and gynaecological conditions such as endometriosis. 

As part of the Women’s Health Strategy, the Government announced it would remove non-clinical barriers to IVF for 

�����������������������, something Fertility Network has long campaigned for. This means same-sex female couples will no longer have to pay for artificial insemination to prove their fertility status and gain NHS treatment, with their treatment pathway beginning with six NHS-funded intra-uterine insemination (IUI) cycles, prior to accessing IVF services, if necessary. 

However, the Government did not say how or when these changes would be implemented and did not announce plans to tackle �������������������� across England in accessing treatment beyond providing information on the current patchy provision. This information is already available in a more in-depth format on Fertility Network’s website. 

In England, we continue to lobby Government to dismantle the IVF postcode lottery and work with integrated care boards (ICBs) to ������������������������������� �����������������. Current changes in the way the NHS is structured with areas coming together to commission treatment means some have been reviewing their fertility policies to align them. We worked with commissioners in North Central and also North East London to help them to ensure patient views are part of their considerations. In North Central London, we were part of the fertility policy steering group and helped 

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Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

to ensure patient views were taken into consideration at every stage of the policy development. Both areas have come up with policies which will improve the care offered to fertility patients. 

We were pleased to hear that, after many years of campaigning, ����������� ������������������� is to be reinstated in two areas of Essex – Mid-Essex and Basildon & Brentwood. Elsewhere, Staffs and Stoke ICB announced a consultation on a new policy which would provide just one embryo transfer – one of the worst in England! 

We expressed our deep concerns relating to proposed changes to the ���������� ��������������� by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC) in January 2023. The proposed cuts seek to ration access to NHS fertility treatment for heterosexual couples, will make it harder for same-sex couples to access NHS treatment by increasing the amount of IUI required from six to 12 cycles, will prevent women over 40 and single women and men from accessing NHS fertility help and will also exclude women and men who self-fund fertility preservation from future NHS fertility treatment. 

These suggested changes were not being reported by ���������. We issued a statement and identified media volunteers happy to speak with the press. ITV and 

BBC Wales covered the issue on TV, with interviews with our Wales coordinator Emma. BBC Wales radio also covered the topic with Emma giving interviews in English and Welsh. 

Thanks to our efforts, working with WHSSC and the media, �������������������� was made available for anyone to respond to on the WHSSC website and the consultation deadline was extended by over a month. We met with Plaid Cymru and Welsh Conservatives and alerted other organisations, including Fair Treatment for Women of Wales, Stonewall Cymru and the RCN, who all followed up with responses to the consultation, as well as ourselves. We are continuing to work to prevent these cuts happening. 


��������������������� �������� 

Our ������������ was busier than ever, responding to 235 media requests, and providing 37 interviews, 47 press comments, and 25 press releases / statements. We were mentioned in the media 129 times! Our media volunteers were sharing their stories and 105 new media volunteers joined us. 

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Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

Our social media team produced an alternative Mother’s Day card for anyone struggling to become a Mum and worked with sister organisations for International Women’s Day. We now have an account for Fertility Network-designed cards on Thortful and these cards are promoted on our website. 

Our media team worked with the cabinet office to provide a representative to speak with the Minister for Women about how female health problems impact in the workplace. 

We are the charity partner of The Fertility Show, held at Olympia in London at the start of May 2022. The show provides visitors with unparalleled access to the world’s leading fertility experts, charities and many service providers under one roof. This year it was the first face-toface meeting since the pandemic. Team Fertility Network had a stand and also hosted sessions. 

‘It has been fantastic to work with clinics across England and build their awareness of our 

work and it’s always rewarding to hear from patients who have found our services as a result of signposting from their clinics. Attending the Senior Infertility Nursing Group (SING) event in Birmingham gave me the opportunity to speak to the fertility nurses who are working directly with patients at their clinics, and it was saddening to hear how few of them were aware of all the services we offer. This, however, gave us a better understanding of the need to link with frontline staff and attend nurses/admin meetings at clinics where possible, to ensure that they are fully aware of everything they can signpost their patients to, and enabled us to continue to improve on our approach and relationships with clinics.’ 

**Claire Heuclin, England coordinator** 

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Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

## ���������������������������������� ����������������� 

We commissioned a major new piece of research with Middlesex University London assessing the impact of infertility. Our survey of approaching 1,300 fertility patients in the UK revealed the devastating toll infertility wreaks on people’s mental health, relationships, finances and career and was picked up widely by the media during Fertility Week 2022 and beyond. **The survey found:** 

## **Mental health** 

- Four out of ten respondents experienced **suicidal feelings** : 30% reported suicidal feelings sometimes or occasionally, while 10% experienced suicidal feelings often or all the time. 

treatment, and the majority (58%) felt concerned that fertility treatment would affect their career prospects. 

   - Only a quarter (25%) reported the existence of a **supportive workplace** policy. 

- Approaching half (47%) of respondents experienced **feelings of depression** often or all the time, while the vast majority (83%) felt sad, frustrated and worried often or all the time. 

## **Finances** 

- Two-thirds of patients (63%) **had to pay** for their own medical treatment. 

- The average cost of investigations and treatment was **£13,750** , with around one in ten couples (12%) spending more than £30,000. 

## **Career** 

- More than one in ten respondents (15%) either reduced their hours or **left their job** , and less than half (45%) of respondents felt they received really good support from their employer. 

- Over a third (36%) of respondents felt their **career was damaged** as a result of fertility 

## **Relationships** 

- The majority of respondents (59%) reported some detrimental impact of fertility problems and/or treatment on **their relationship** with their partner, while 2% of respondents reported their relationship had ended as a result. 

## **Information & Support** 

- Approaching half (44%) of respondents **sought help** from Fertility Network UK, the nation’s leading fertility charity. 

- Three-quarters of respondents (75%) felt their GP did not provide **sufficient information** about fertility problems and treatment and 7% were not sure. Less than one-fifth (18%) were satisfied with the information GPs provided. 

- The majority of respondents (78%) would have liked to have **counselling** if it was free. Half of respondents (51%) did have counselling, but most of these (59%) had to fund some of it themselves. 

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## �������������� 

**What a week!** During National Fertility Awareness Week 2022 we hosted four live Q&A webinars, a Fertility in the Workplace face-to-face event with AutoTrader, released our survey on the impact of infertility and its treatment, showcased 16 blogs on our website from patients and professionals, including representatives from Adoption UK, and the Defence Fertility Network. 

We broadcast 27 videos on our social media platforms, from patients and professionals, including: 

- Julia Chain, chair of the fertility regulator the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority; 

- Raj Mathur, chair of the British Fertility Society; 

- Angela Pericleous-Smith, chair of British Infertility Counselling Association; 

- Nickie Aiken MP. 

## **We focused on different topics each day. Our timetable is below.** 

## ������������������ 

## ������������������ 

Infertility is a recognised disease, yet the majority of UK fertility patients are forced to pay for medical treatment because access to NHS-funded fertility treatment is unfairly rationed. Only Scotland offers the recommended three full IVF cycles. We released a major new survey on the impact of infertility and its treatment. 

We hosted a #FertilityFairness webinar with experts from the Human Fertilisation and 

Embryology Authority, the British Infertility Counselling Association and the British Fertility Society. 

## ������������������� 

## ������������������������ 

Shockingly, fertility treatment is not recognised by the majority of employers as necessary medical treatment and there is no legal right to time off work for fertility appointments. 

We are calling for employers to recognise fertility treatment as a clinical necessity and to provide 

appropriate medical leave. We hosted a #FertilityintheWorkplace webinar with Nickie Aiken MP and representatives from AutoTrader. 

## ��������������������� ������������� 

Male factor fertility problems are the most common reason for a couple to seek fertility treatment, yet far too often men’s fertility is not tested in the first stages of a couple seeking medical help, leading to unnecessary delays and distress. We are calling for 

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Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

men’s fertility to be tested in a timely manner at the same time as a woman’s fertility is explored. 

We hosted a #HIMfertility webinar with Maria Satchi, consultant urological surgeon and two former male fertility patients: Andrew Baines-Vosper and Ciaran Hannington. 

�������������������� ������������ Fertility education is now part of the secondary school 

curriculum but what is taught is still too 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. 

We hosted a #FertilityEd webinar with Professor Joyce Harper, cofounder of the Fertility Education Initiative and our Your Future Fertility team. 

## ������������������ �������������� 

Infertility can be a lonely experience: too many people struggle in silence when talking about what you are facing can make a big difference. We signposted the help that is available, including our regional and specialty online groups and highlighted patients’ experiences. Hearing how others have coped with their fertility journey can be extraordinarily helpful. 

## **Fertility Week highlights** 

Our #Fertilityin5 social media campaign highlighted the emotions and situations fertility patients were currently facing. Responses revealed the enormous emotional impact of infertility. 


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Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

worked with for over three years, such as HSBC and BP. 

Our aim is to listen to the needs of the organisation first and then 

> We were one of only 16 to secure funding from VCSE Health and Wellbeing Fund. This was a huge endorsement of the work we have been doing. 

Thanks to the funding from VCSE, we welcomed three new members of the FITW team at the end of March 2023. Their focus is on supporting women in smallto-medium enterprises, business owners and self-employed women in England by providing free workplace education and support. 

The VCSE funding has also enabled us to meet with some other incredible charities who have received funding and to reimagine what women’s health support could look like overall in the next few years. 

We continued to grow our other work helping organisations of any size support both women and men facing fertility struggles. We increased the number of organisations we have worked with, 

from 50 to over 100 . They include charities, hospital trusts and government departments, such as the Ministry of Defence. There are also firms we have 

a pathway of support , while plugging them into the work of the charity to provide long-term, wrap around care. The feedback is consistently positive with people regularly saying what a relief it was to feel less alone, less afraid and more empowered as they progress. From allstaff training to managers’ sessions, and specific topic talks, we remain committed to our primary vision that no one should feel isolated at work when facing fertility issues. 

Our in-person Recognising Reproductive Health Summit in London saw approaching 100 people coming together to hear from experts, including Nickie Aiken MP and Alex Davies-Jones MP and organisations we have worked with including the Co-op and AutoTrader. 

We continued to campaign for 

their workplace . As it stands there is no legal right for time off or flexible working for patients seeking the medical support they need for infertility, leaving patients to navigate this issue on an individual basis and with huge variations around experience in the workplace. We reached out to many MPs about this. 

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Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

‘The pandemic drew attention to the health and social inequalities experienced by 

people from global majority communities. As the Ethnic Minorities Community Project Worker, I’m committed to bringing into sharper focus the voices and experiences of those who experience inequities in fertility treatment and provision. 

In October 2022, I was pleased to coordinate and host Fertility Network UK’s first Black History Month event. This event brought together a panel of Black men and members of the Black community, to share their knowledge, value their contributions and to provide a greater understanding of their different intersectional fertility needs. 

The event also centred on the lived and learned experience of one of Fertility Network’s community ambassadors, the actor Jonathan Luwagga, who spoke about his personal fertility journey as a Black man. He highlighted an important and oftenmissing perspective in conversations about infertility. 

I was delighted to be able to amplify their voices and provide a safe space to understanding what impacts and influences the fertility journeys of black and racially minoritised people.’ 

**Jenny Okona-Mensah, Ethnic Minorities Community Project Worker** 

It was an open and inclusive discussion on some of the key themes and systemic issues which particularly affect the black community. 

The webinar event was an opportunity to increase awareness about the shortage of Black donors in the UK and the subsequent impact on fertility clients from Black and/or mixed ethnicity communities. The audience heard how the creation of the first UK Black donor agency helped to bridge the gaps in provision. 

**Actor Jonathan Luwagga** 

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Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

**We have team members based across the UK in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales whose focus is to serve the local community with support groups and events.** 

**They had a busy and impactful year.** 

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Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

## ������������������������������� 

**In England, with the support of The National Lottery Community Fund – Reaching Communities England, we have...** 



We engaged with **5,636** members of our regional groups in England. We now have 36 regional fertility groups and we’ve introduced **one** additional group this year. We have seen an **87%** increase in engagement with our England regional communities on Facebook and **46%** increase in attendance to our online meetings. 

We now have **13** UK-wide specialist groups. Engagement within our specialist UK wide groups has increased by **72%** with the introduction of two new groups: South Asian Fertility Group & Fertility Treatment Abroad. We are planning an Under 25’s group and a Muslim community group. 

We have actively engaged with the majority of fertility clinics across the country, through our **Clinic Ambassador** programme. This programme has established links with 66% of all London-based fertility clinics and 87% of all applicable clinics across the rest of  England. 

Thanks to our new team we have been able to attend community events and engage with other stakeholder organisations, including **LGBTQ+ community groups** and women’s health organisations. 


Our outreach and engagement with **Ethnic Minority Communities** across the country has been exceptional. We have taken part in talks, podcasts, events and general outreach work and have had the opportunity to raise awareness with over 700 people across the country. 

Our **Wellbeing Programme** in England flourished. We provided a six-week online Yoga for relaxation course, a six-week online Pathway to Parenthood course for the LGBTQ+ community, a four-week Mindfulness course and a fourweek nutrition course focused on helping those who need to lose weight to access fertility treatment. We saw a 100% improvement in wellbeing demonstrated through our wellbeing assessments. 

We ran a series of All England **Q&A Sessions** with guest speakers, including the fertility regulator the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and The British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA). 

The England team provided one-toone **information and support** , via text, social media, phone and email to 1,463 individuals and we have 

21 




followed up with these contacts on 411 occasions. 

The England team hosted 29 **webinars** online. These covered general fertility information and 

advice, discussions about specific reports and regulations, focused topics for coping with specific events and information sessions relevant to target audiences. 

## ����������������������������� 

**In Wales, with the support from The National Lottery Community Fund Wales, we have...** 


Supported **1,258** people overall with **662** people now in our four private groups (South & West Wales, Shropshire & Mid Wales, North Wales, All-Wales LGBTQ+). Regular meetings of the All-Wales group include both peer support meetings and meetings with expert speakers. 

Attended the **Pride Cymru** event in Cardiff where we spoke to many couples who had no idea that they were entitled to NHS fertility treatment in Wales. One male samesex couple said talking to Fertility Network UK and finding out this information had made their year. 

Collaborated with some **brilliant organisations** , such as Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales (FTWW), British Heart Foundation Cymru, Endometriosis UK, Tommy’s and Mind Cymru. These collaborations focused on securing the Welsh Government’s commitment for the implementation 



of the Women’s Health Plan for Wales. We contributed to the Women & Girls Health Wales Quality Statement. 

We also worked closely with a number of Welsh Health Boards to provide emotional impact training for primary care **mental health teams** and are working with local authorities to further raise awareness. 

We launched our Wales **LGBTQ+** fertility peer group and are delighted to say that it grew incredibly fast and is now a UK-wide peer group. Later in the year we launched a second LGBTQ+ group. One group is for those at the beginning of the journey and another for those who are undergoing treatment. 

Our **education programme** was busy, with attendance at six freshers events, multiple presentations in healthcare and ongoing exciting work with Aberystwyth University, regarding our 

22 




involvement and support in a new degree programme. 

Our six-week **LGBTQ+** Pathways to Parenthood course was very wellreceived and we collaborated with a number of organisations including Donor Conception Network, the Royal College of Nursing and NGA Law. The course looked at a number of topics, including legal implications, lived experience and donor conception support. 

Our **information sessions** and groups included mindfulness and coping mechanisms for anxiety, nutrition to improve egg quality and uterine lining, a presentation and Q&A on the IVF process by a fertility consultant, and a mindful eating course for anyone struggling to lose weight for fertility treatment. For our fertility in the workplace activities, we provided ongoing support to North Wales police, South Wales police and Admiral. 

## ������������������������� ���������������� 

**In Northern Ireland, with the support of the Department of Health via the Belfast Health Trust and the Belfast Cathedral Black Santa Sit-out Fund, we have...** 

Working closely with the NI Department of Health, the NHS Regional Fertility Clinic and healthcare professionals as part of the NI IVF Project Board, we have lobbied for patients regarding the proposed move towards **three cycles** of publicly-funded IVF fertility treatment. Though delayed due to a lack of devolved NI Government, we hope to see improvement for patients in 2024. 

As patient advocates, we represent **patient needs** in both the NHS and private fertility sector, and have continued to develop our 

connections with other support services and organisations. We have recently joined a NI Baby Loss consortium to work together to improve support for pregnancy loss. 

In Northern Ireland, we continue to have high demand for our **oneto-one support** . Support group meetings for Trying to Conceive, More to Life and AceBabes continue via Zoom with informal chats, and a variety of guest speakers. 

Our **#GetFit4Fertility** programme helps women and men on a fertility 

23 



Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 


journey develop positive lifestyle habits. Nutrition, Mindfulness and Exercise help to optimise their fertility health and wellbeing: 

- Magic Mile for Me - to encourage, motivate and maintain a daily habit of walking a mile; 

- Nutrition for Fertility course - led by a nutritionist, highlighting benefits of eating well, maintaining steady blood glucose and avoiding insulin spikes; 

- Wellbeing – six-week mindfulness programmes, adapted to the challenges of infertility. 

Our education programme ‘ **Your Future Fertility** ’ which highlights potential risks to future fertility health, has received 


considerable endorsement from health professionals.  An application was made to the Department of Health and Social Care Core Grant Funding for a 12-month pilot project in NI, but the funding was withdrawn. 

Queens University and Belfast City Council are two organisations that have linked with our **Fertility in the Workplace** initiative, which helps employers to offer support and understanding for employees on a fertility journey, whatever the outcome.  It is heartening to see increased recognition of infertility as a legitimate health condition and employees seeking time off for medical appointments, granted leave, flexibility and support. 

## �������������������������������� 

## **In Scotland, with the support of the Scottish government, we have...** 


Celebrated a decade of our education project **Your Fertile Future** in Scotland. This project was the first of its kind in the UK and creates awareness by providing information to a range including colleges, universities, voluntary organisations, GPs, sexual health clinics and many more. 

This year also saw us launch our first **TikTok** social media channel as part of our education project. Our handle is @FertilityFuture. We also have 

social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). A big push this year was to increase our presence on social media. We worked with volunteers to record a series of videos on how anabolic steroids and recreational drug use can impact fertility. Our total reach across our social media platforms for the period was 59,977. 

With pandemic restrictions now fully eased in Scotland for colleges 

24 



Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

and Social Care Alliance Scotland, Volunteer Scotland, Period Poverty UK, Pride Glasgow, Verity PCOS, Youth Scotland, SHE Scotland, Baby Loss Awareness Week and 

and universities, we were very and Social Care Alliance Scotland, happy to return to a full schedule Volunteer Scotland, Period Poverty of **Fresher events** . We attended a UK, Pride Glasgow, Verity PCOS, record 38 Fresher events, talked to Youth Scotland, SHE Scotland, © lots of students about their future Baby Loss Awareness Week and fertility, and distributed around Endometriosis UK. 4000 ‘Your Wellbeing Your Future’ education leaflets. ‘It was great to Overall staff attended **60 events** and see attendance completed a record amount of **3,037** of our Freshers **questionnaires** for our education events back to preproject. The survey assesses students’ . pandemic levels, knowledge of what could affect their staff were delighted to be back and future fertility. Our support services the whole team worked extremely in Scotland continue to thrive. We hard in reaching as many students now have 707 people in our peer as possible. A bumper year for support groups, up from 496 in the questionnaires! Our requests for previous reporting period. These support in Scotland continue to include seven regional trying to grow and the feedback from our conceive (TTC) WhatsApp groups in beneficiaries is extremely rewarding.’ Scotland which are sorted by age, region and stage in their TTC journey. We also have six specialist peer **Sarah Lindores-Williams,** support groups. **Scotland Coordinator** ~~-~~ Our **volunteers** continue to play a vital role in the charity. Their contribution and enthusiasm ‘Working for this for the cause is essential for the charity is an absolute © continued delivery of our support honour, being able services.  They include peer support f to support people volunteers, More to Life volunteers, facing the loneliness student ambassadors and and isolation of a fertility journey. media volunteers. 

‘Working for this charity is an absolute honour, being able to support people facing the loneliness and isolation of a fertility journey. Facilitating webinars and helping people better understand and take control of their own journey is hugely rewarding.’ 

We continued our work with **sexual health** clinics and gave presentations to medical students and health and social care students. We also continue to work with other organisations including Health 

**Sharon Martin, Business Development Manager** 

25 



## Our supporters 

## **We are extremely grateful for the support from our partners including:** 

## The Scottish Government 

To work with clinics and Health Boards on the provision of fertility services in Scotland; to provide a comprehensive support service to infertility patients; to raise awareness of issues surrounding fertility and infertility by working with universities, health professionals and employers across Scotland. Provide recruitment and training support for our volunteers and support the Scottish Government donor campaign. 

## The National Lottery Community Fund Wales 

Five-year project to expand our regional network of support for infertility sufferers in Wales and to deliver the Education project across the country. 

England and UK Health Security Agency – to improve health and employment outcomes for women and people experiencing reproductive health issues. 

The support should ensure women facing reproductive health issues can remain in and return to work with the right support. 

## TNL Community Grant England 

This project will provide increased support and information to increase our reach in order that more people are supported on their fertility journey. Dedicated resource to engage and support LGBTQ, Ethnic minority, women over 40 and male community. Increase the number of volunteers in the network with a focus on geographical areas where there are none. 

## The VCSE Health and 

## Wellbeing Fund 

Part of a partnership programme between Department of Health & Social Care, NHS 

Also: Health Medica; My Family Tree; Tori Day; Broken Heart Tees; NUA; Melio and Sheila Lamb. 

26 



## **Our thanks go to our corporate and clinic supporters:** 

## Agora 

Apricity 

BCRM 

Bourn Hall Ltd Bridge Clinic London Care Fertility Group Concept Fertility Clinic Chelmsfield And Sussex Downs Fertility Centre The Centre For Reproductive & Genetic 

Health (CRGH) Gennet City The Hull IVF Unit Herts And Essex Fertility Clinic 

In-Ovo Clinics Ltd IVF Matters Ltd London Women’s Clinic Manchester Fertility Newcastle Centre For Life NHS Orchard Clinic Aberdeen Fertility Centre Dundee Assisted Conception Unit Edinburgh Fertility Centre Glasgow Fertility Clinic Belfast Health And Social Care Trust Regional Fertility Centre The Fertility Partnership Clinic Group The Shropshire And Mid Wales Fertilty Centre 

We are particularly grateful to all those individuals who have made donations or carried out fundraising activities for Fertility Network UK. 

A special thanks to those small businesses who are donating a proportion of their proceeds to Fertility Network UK including:  HelloTreacle & The Pants Project, and Notch. 

## **Our Corporate Partnership Programme has four different levels:** 

## **Gold** 

## **Silver** 

## **Bronze** 

## **Friend** 

Ferring Merck LogixX TestHim The Fertility Show 

Ovogene Vitabiotics 

Access Fertility MD Consents Cooper Surgical Fertility Family Cryos GAIA Peppy Health Pharmasure BTO Solicitors 

27 



Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

## **Our incredible fundraisers include:** 

Fertility Network Scotland are forever grateful to our group of amazing fundraisers who participating in the famous Scottish Kilt Walks raised a staggering £2,671. 

Big thanks to Andrew Dawkins, Head of Andrology at The Doctors Laboratory, who took part in the Rat Race: Man vs Mountain Challenge. Andrew completed the event in seven hours, 3,200 calories lighter, and although the event was extremely tough on both body and mind Andrew is already considering another one! 

Burlesquercise UK instructor Amy Parkes and her team of fabulous dancers held a fundraising event and raised a fantastic legkicking £1,555. 

28 



Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

## ���������������� 

## **Review of the year** 

Total income in 22/23 increased by £186,637 (43%) compared to the previous year and this was due to additional grant income received. We are grateful to both the various grant bodies for this and the staff of the charity who have worked tirelessly towards making successful grant submissions. This has enabled the charity to increase the scope and reach of the work it undertakes. The charity continues to explore ways to diversify income generation to build on this growth for future years. 

## **Income and expenditure** 

Income in total increased by £186,637 compared to the previous year. 

The majority of our expenditure (66% in 22/23) goes on staff salaries, plus expenses related to the cost of delivering our activities.  There were higher costs than in previous years on items related to the governance changes, including expenditure on legal advice and other professional advice. 

|**Income by Source**|**Income by Source**|**Income by Source**|**Income by Source**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**Restricted/Unrestricted**|**2023 (£)**|**2022 (£)**|
|||||
|Grant income|R|463,661|232,809|
|Income from fundraising|UR|26,478|44,955|
|Sponsorship income|UR|108,377|135,618|
|Donations and gifts|UR|25,205|31,916|
|Interest receivable|UR|576|3,737|
|The Fertility Show|UR|14,000|1,275|
|Advertising income|UR|0|1,350|
|Other income|UR|0|0|
|**Total Income**||**638,297**|**451,660**|
|||||



29 



Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

## **Reserves** 

The charity previously had a reserves policy in relation to unrestricted reserves of nine months expenditure. This is reviewed annually by the trustees and scrutinised by the finance committee.  At the year ended 31 March 2023 unrestricted reserves were just over eight months expenditure for the year. The reserves policy was adjusted to be between six-nine months. 

‘My highlight was attending 25 different college and university events throughout the 

year to promote the Your Future Fertility project and raise awareness of the wellbeing factors that impact fertility. It was great to have the opportunity to speak to so many students in person after the impact of COVID on live events.’ 

**Anna Paterson, Scotland education development officer** 

The trustees have previously designated funds to support the delivery of a refreshed strategy and business plan for the charity together with governance improvements. This work continues, working with our accountants and CounterCulture LLP to ensure the charity is in good financial health for the future. 

‘Making the videos has been extremely rewarding as I see what an impact they can have when I use 

them in sessions or see the reactions that they receive on social media. In particular, one of the women I filmed was in a difficult place during the RISE project, but ultimately became pregnant and allowed me to make a video with her. The generosity of her actions was stunning. I never cease to be amazed by the strength of some of the women I work with.’ 

**Michele Wright, Wales education development officer** 

30 



Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

## ����������������������� ������������� 

## **Governance** 

The charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee and is therefore governed by Articles of Association. The number of Trustees shall not be less than four and not more than ten (unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution) individuals over the age of 18, all of whom must support the Objects. The Trustees are each members of the company and have no beneficial interest therein and guarantee to contribute £1.00 in the event of a winding up. 

overall responsibility for managing the charity’s operations and employees. The Board delegates to the Finance and Risk Committee for further support and scrutiny. 

## **Remuneration policy** 

It is the wish of the Trustees that the charity pay fairly. The new Board of Trustees commissioned a pay benchmarking report delivered by a third party and those recommendations were considered as part of the financial plan for this year. The Board continues to monitor this. 

Thanks to those Trustees who departed this year, we are very grateful for your support, time and energy. 

## **Organisational structure & decision making** 

The Board meets quarterly and as necessary. The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, who served during the year, were: Lucy Thorn (Treasurer), Isabel Traynor, Jo Binding (Chair), Arti Shah, Rachel Bodner, Francesca Raine, Angela Pericleous-Smith, Isla Billett. 

The Chief Executive is appointed by the Board of Trustees to manage the dayto-day operations of the charity and has 

## **Volunteers** 

Volunteers play a vital role in the charity. Their contribution and enthusiasm is essential for us to deliver the quality of our support services. We offer support to all our volunteers from our dedicated Volunteer Coordinator and regional staff teams. We currently have a total of 226 volunteers: 73 in England, 22 in Scotland, 14 in Wales and seven in Northern Ireland, and 110 media volunteers. 

## **Fundraising** 

We have built varied and stable funding streams and developed relationships with key partners. We established relationships with several new organisations as we sought to grow and diversify our income streams. 

31 



Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

## **There are three key sources of income that we rely on:** 

## 1. Grants & Trusts 

We are incredibly grateful for the grant and trust income we receive, in particular the ongoing support from the Scottish Government, the Northern Ireland Health & Social Care Board, The National Lottery (TNL) Community Fund Wales, St Anne’s Cathedral - Sit Out Fund and TNL Community Fund (England). We are thrilled to have secured valuable funds from the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Fund, part of a partnership programme between Department of Health & Social Care, NHS England and UK Health Security Agency for a five-year project in England. 

## 2. Clinics & other Corporate organisations: 

We continue to receive income support through our clinic Patient Pledge and outreach scheme. 

## 3. Individual Giving/ 

## Community Fundraising 

As a result of our increasing reach we have seen an increase in the number of individuals who donate to us. 

## **Principal risks and uncertainties** 

The Finance and Risk Committee meets to provide further support and scrutiny of our finances and our risk register. The key risks identified include: 

- The need for a more comprehensive business plan and strategy setting out the charity’s plans 

- The need for governance improvements including the quality of information provided to the Board to allow them to fully fulfil their duties 

- The need to change the governance arrangements so that they are inline with our governing document 

- The large turnover of trustees dating back several years 

- The trustees are fully committed to the long term success of this charity and believe it has significant potential to deliver more impact for our beneficiaries. The trustees have enlisted the help from CounterCulture LLP to advise the charity. 

32 



Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

## ������������������������ 

**We plan to further diversify our income next year, and secure further long term grants from several new supporters. Generating a diverse and sustainable income stream in 2023/24 and beyond is critical to the charity’s future and ongoing success.** 

Our website and social channels will continue to offer us more opportunities to generate income by working closely with existing partners and recruiting new partners. We will work together to ensure our partnerships enhance and expand the good quality information and support we offer our service users. We will also look at expanding our successful work engaging with fundraisers. 

## **Activities** 

Five initiatives we will continue to develop and grow during 2023/24: 

- We aim to increase our support and seek to diversify our beneficiary base so that it is more representative of society and the UK today. For example, we will build on our support activities for the male fertility community. 

We will build our capacity in digital and social media and will resource this to capitalise on the increased demand in this space together with technology changes. 

We expect to continue to provide our services in a hybrid way, and continue to deliver many activities digitally and remotely. 

- We will continue to build upon successful work already undertaken across the UK in the activities with workplaces. 

- We will seek to deepen our role as the leading resource for information and support by both patients and health professionals. 

- We will extend our content offered, developing and hosting a series of webinars facilitated by Fertility Network UK with expert speakers, offered each month. 

33 



Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

- Our awareness week initiative will once again be a focus for us, providing support, raising awareness and funds, and changing perceptions. This is planned for the week 30th October – 5th November 2023. We will use hashtags to highlight some key objectives during the week as well as our campaign hashtag #Forward4Fertility 

## **Our 20th birthday** 

Fertility Network will celebrate 20 years of providing free and impartial information and support on 5 July 2023. We will plan activities celebrating our 20th anniversary throughout the year. 

## **Influencing on behalf of patients** 

We will continue to lobby for increased funding for NHS fertility treatment in Wales, England, and Northern Ireland. We believe our work in the nations is essential in keeping fertility on the public agenda and the channels for effective dialogue with government and parliamentary representatives open. We will continue our campaign to end the unfair ‘postcode lottery’ across England and increase provision in Northern Ireland and Wales. 

We are proud that our work continues with the Scottish Government as part of the National Infertility Group which has resulted in Scotland having the gold standard in provision of treatment. We will 

continue to work with the Health Boards, National Infertility group and subgroups in 2023/24. 

We will work to develop a survey assessing the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on fertility patients, results will be released during National Fertility Awareness Week. 

We will continue our work with all professional organisations including HFEA, BFS, BICA and RCOG, to highlight the emotional impact, and promote the services offered by the charity. 

‘The Education Project in Scotland is growing on social media which is a great 

way to reach young people but it cannot compare to the fabulous response we get from face to face events. It’s wonderful that so many young people are interested in our messages and many comment on the importance of the project because there was nothing about what affects fertility taught in their school education.’ 

**Sarah Baird, Scotland education development officer** 

34 



Fertility Network UK Fertility Network UK **Annual ReportAnnual Report** 

## **Thanks to donors** 

Thank you for your help to fund our amazing work. 

## **Thanks to volunteers** 

Thanks to our committed and generous volunteers, including those patients who bravely share their stories for the benefit 

## 

We are grateful to our passionate staff who 

## **Thanks to those departing** 

During 2022/2023 we said goodbye to some of our Trustees. We would like to thank them for their service to Fertility Network UK and wish them all every success in the future. 

‘I am so proud that our work highlighting the detrimental effect on fertility patients 

of the proposed new fertility policy in Wales and the fact that the policy had not been made widely available resulted in the consultation deadline being extended and being made more widely available. The result: more people could respond and more voices against the proposed policy were heard. We are still waiting to hear the outcome but it could be positive for fertility patients because of our lobbying efforts!’ 

**Dr Catherine Hill, communications manager** 

35 



Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** 

## ����������������������� �������������� 

**The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).** 

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: 

- Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently 

- Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 

- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent 

- State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material 

departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements 

- Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation 

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

36 



Fertility Network UK **Annual Report** The Trustees are responsible for the ‘I am so pleased to maintenance and integrity of the see the Moving on corporate and financial information Group re-established included on the charity’s website. and doubled in Legislation in the United Kingdom membership, an governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements active WhatsApp and with regular meetings and we are currently may differ from legislation in other writing creative poetry in our jurisdictions. workshops. I feel this group is often overlooked and is such an important The Trustees’ annual report has been breathing space to think through approved by the Trustees and signed on feelings and process the trauma their behalf by and grief many of our patients have been through.’ **Kimberley Thomas, Wales project worker** ~~_~~ **Jo Binding, Chair of Trustees** ‘Bringing together a group of influential health professionals from across the UK at our online event ‘Trauma in Infertility’ to start an important conversation about how we can collectively learn and create a reduction in trauma for fertility patients… and realising that we had initiated a research journey that could really make a difference’ **Hilary Knight, Northern Ireland coordinator** 37 



Fertility Network UK Fertility Network UK **Annual ReportAnnual Report** 

## �������������������� 

|**Reference and Administrative Information**|**Reference and Administrative Information**|
|---|---|
|Charity name|Infertility Network UK  (Trading name – Fertility Network UK.)<br>This was changed to Fertility Network UK on 20 January 2022.|
|Charity no. (England & Wales)|1099960|
|Company no.|4822073|
|Scottish charity no.|SC039511|
|Governing Document|Articles of Association, 2016|
|Registered ofce|The Forum at Greenwich (2nd foor ofce), London SE10 9EQ|
|Trustees|Lucy Thorn, Treasurer (resigned 30th April 2023)<br>Isabel Traynor, (Resigned 19/09/22)<br>Jo Binding, Chair<br>Arti Shah (Resigned 16/10/22)<br>Rachel Bodner<br>Francesca Raine<br>Angela Pericleous-Smith (appointed 29/03/22, resigned November 2022)<br>Isla Billet|
|||
|Accountants|McPhersons, 23 St Leonards Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex TN40 1HH|
|Bankers|Lloyds Bank, 25 Cornhill, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 3AY|
|||
|||



38 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

**Please see Financial Statements appended over coming pages.** 

**Charity registration number 1099960 (England and Wales) Charity registration number SC039511 (Scotland) Company registration number 4822073 (England and Wales)** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

**ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023** 

**39** 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

The Trustees, who are also the directors of Fertility Network UK for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

Company Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year. 

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation. 

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

- 1 - 

40 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

## **Opinion** 

We have audited the financial statements of Fertility Network UK (the ‘Charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 _The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland_ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

In our opinion, the financial statements: 

- give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, for the year then ended; 

- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and 

- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). 

## **Basis for opinion** 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the _Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements_ section of our report. We are independent of the Charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

## **Conclusions relating to going concern** 

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. 

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. 

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. 

## **Other information** 

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. 

We have nothing to report in this regard. 

- 2 - 

**41** 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception** 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) require us to report to you if, in our opinion: 

- the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the Trustees' report; or 

- sufficient and proper accounting records have not been kept; or 

- - the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or 

- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

## **Responsibilities of Trustees** 

As explained more fully in the statement of Trustees' responsibilities, the Trustees, who are also the directors of the Charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

## **Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements** 

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and report in accordance with the Acts and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder. 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below. 

- 3 - 

**42** 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

**INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

## **Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud** 

Based on our understanding of the charitable company and the sector in which it operates, we identified that the following laws and regulations are significant to the entity: 

• Those laws and regulations considered to have a direct effect on the financial statements including UK financial reporting standards, Company Law and Charity Law. 

• Those laws and regulations for which non-compliance may be fundamental to the operating aspects of the charity and therefore may have a material effect on the financial statements include compliance with charitable objectives, public benefit, fundraising regulations, safeguarding and health and safety legislation. 

These matters were discussed amongst the engagement team at the planning stage and the team remained alert throughout the audit. 

Audit procedures undertaken in response to the potential risks relating to irregularities (which include fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations) comprised of: inquiries of management and the Trustees as to whether the entity complies with such laws and regulations; enquiries with the same concerning any actual or potential litigation or claims; inspection of relevant legal correspondence and legal costs incurred; review of Trustee meeting minutes; testing the appropriateness of journal entries; and the performance of analytical review to identify unexpected movements in account balances which may be indicative of fraud. 

No instances of material non-compliance were identified. However, the likelihood of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is limited by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the entity's controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities that result from fraud might be inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from error. As explained above, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements may not be detected, even though the audit has been planned and performed in accordance with ISAs (UK). 

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https:// www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report. 

## **Other matters on which we are required to report** 

The prior year financial statements were not subject to audit and therefore the comparative figures in the financial statements are unaudited. 

## **Use of our report** 

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and regulation 10 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

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**43** 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

**INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

**Maxine Pott** 

21 December 2023 

**Chartered Accountant Statutory Auditor** 

Sumer Auditco Ltd The Beehive, Beehive Ring Road Gatwick RH6 0PA 

Sumer Auditco Limited is eligible for appointment as auditor of the Charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006. 

- 5 - 

**44** 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** 

_**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

|**Current financial year**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Designated**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2023**<br>**2023**<br>**2023**<br>**Notes**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**Income and endowments from:**<br>Donations and legacies<br>**3**<br>25,205<br>-<br>-<br>Charitable activities<br>**4**<br>26,478<br>-<br>463,661<br>Investments<br>**5**<br>576<br>-<br>-<br>Other income<br>**6**<br>122,377<br>-<br>-<br>**Total income**<br>174,636<br>-<br>463,661<br>Charitable activities<br>**7**<br>179,465<br>-<br>464,898<br>**Net income/(expenditure)**<br>(4,829)<br>-<br>(1,237)<br>Transfers between funds<br>(124,060)<br>72,566<br>51,494<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>(128,889)<br>72,566<br>50,257<br>**Reconciliation of funds:**<br>Fund balances at 1 April 2022<br>249,965<br>-<br>138,127<br>**Fund balances at 31 March 2023**<br>121,076<br>72,566<br>188,384|**Total**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>25,205<br>490,139<br>576<br>122,377<br>638,297<br>644,363<br>(6,066)<br>-<br>(6,066)<br>388,092<br>382,026|**Total**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>31,916<br>279,114<br>3,737<br>136,893|
|---|---|---|
|||451,660|
|||426,460|
|||25,200<br>-|
|||25,200<br>362,892|
|||388,092|



The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. 

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**45** 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

**STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED) INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** 

_**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

|**Unaudited prior financial year**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Designated**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2022**<br>**2022**<br>**2022**<br>**Notes**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**Income and endowments from:**<br>Donations and legacies<br>**3**<br>31,916<br>-<br>-<br>Charitable activities<br>**4**<br>46,305<br>-<br>232,809<br>Investments<br>**5**<br>3,737<br>-<br>-<br>Other income<br>**6**<br>136,893<br>-<br>-<br>Total income<br>218,851<br>-<br>232,809<br>Charitable activities<br>**7**<br>186,612<br>-<br>239,848<br>**Net income/(expenditure)**<br>32,239<br>-<br>(7,039)<br>Transfers between funds<br>-<br>(12,300)<br>12,300<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>32,239<br>(12,300)<br>5,261<br>**Reconciliation of funds:**<br>Fund balances at 1 April 2021<br>217,726<br>12,300<br>132,866<br>**Fund balances at 31 March 2022**<br>249,965<br>-<br>138,127|**Total**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>31,916<br>279,114<br>3,737<br>136,893|
|---|---|
||451,660|
||426,460|
||25,200<br>-|
||25,200<br>362,892|
||388,092|



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46 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

## **BALANCE SHEET** 

_**AS AT 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

|**Notes**<br>**Fixed assets**<br>Tangible assets<br>**13**<br>**Current assets**<br>Debtors<br>**14**<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>**Creditors: amounts falling due within**<br>**one year**<br>**15**<br>Net current assets<br>**Total assets less current liabilities**<br>**The funds of the Charity**<br>Designated funds<br>**18**<br>Restricted income funds<br>**20**<br>Unrestricted funds|**2023**<br>**£**<br>12,278<br>601,298<br>613,576<br>232,688|**£**<br>1,138<br>380,888<br>382,026<br>72,566<br>188,384<br>121,076<br>382,026|**Unaudited**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>491<br>42,712<br>526,982<br>569,694<br>182,093<br>387,601<br>388,092<br>-<br>138,127<br>249,965<br>388,092|**Unaudited**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>491<br>42,712<br>526,982<br>569,694<br>182,093<br>387,601<br>388,092<br>-<br>138,127<br>249,965<br>388,092|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||388,092|
|||||-<br>138,127<br>249,965|
|||||388,092|



The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements. 

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. 

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 20 December 2023 

J L Binding **Trustee** 

J L Binding Company registration number 4822073 (England and Wales) **Trustee** 

Company registration number 4822073 (England and Wales) 

- 8 - 

**47** 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

**STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

|**Notes**<br>**Cash flows from operating activities**<br>Cash generated from/(absorbed by)<br>operations<br>**23**<br>**Investing activities**<br>Purchase of tangible fixed assets<br>Investment income received<br>**Net cash (used in)/generated from**<br>**investing activities**<br>**Net cash used in financing activities**<br>**Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash**<br>**equivalents**<br>Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year<br>**Cash and cash equivalents at end of year**|**2023**<br>**£**<br>(5,147)<br>576|**£**<br>78,887<br>(4,571)<br>-<br>74,316<br>526,982<br>601,298|**2022**<br>**£**<br>(1,967)<br>3,737|**£**<br>(10,996)<br>1,770<br>-<br>(9,226)<br>536,208<br>526,982|
|---|---|---|---|---|



- 9 - 

48 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

**STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

**1 Critical accounting estimates and judgements** In the application of the Charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods. **2 Accounting policies Charity information** Fertility Network UK is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 2nd Floor Office, The Forum at Greenwich, Trafalgar Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 9EQ. **2.1 Accounting convention** The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's Articles of Association,  the Companies Act 2006, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019). The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. **2.2 Going concern** These financial statements are prepared on the going concern basis.  The Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. **2.3 Charitable funds** Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives. Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the accounts. Designated funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives. Such funds are subject to certain conditions agreed by the Trustees and used in accordance with the majority decision of the Trustees from time to time. **2.4 Income** Income is recognised when the Charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received. Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation. 

- 10 - 

**49** 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

**NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

- **2 Accounting policies** 

## **(Continued)** 

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the Charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. 

The value of donated services and gifts in kind provided to the charity are recognised at their open market value in the period in which they are receivable as incoming resources, where the benefit to the charity can be reliably measured. An equivalent amount is included as expenditure under the relevant heading in the Statement of financial activities. 

Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received. 

A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met.  Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability. 

## **2.5 Expenditure** 

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. 

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. 

Fundraising and publicity costs include general advertising and promotion of the charity and its objectives. 

Governance costs include costs associated with the strategic as opposed to the day to day management of the charity's activities. 

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. 

A liability will arise when the charity is under an obligation to make a transfer of value to a third party. Where costs cannot be attributed to a particular heading they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of the resources. 

- **2.6 Tangible fixed assets** 

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. 

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases: 

Fixtures, fittings & equipment 20% per annum on a straight line basis F,F&E - grant funded Fully depreciated in year of purchase 

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities. 

- 11 - 

50 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

**2 Accounting policies (Continued) 2.7 Impairment of fixed assets** At each reporting end date, the Charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). **2.8 Cash and cash equivalents** Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities. **2.9 Financial instruments** The Charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. Financial instruments are recognised in the Charity's balance sheet when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. _**Basic financial assets**_ Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised. _**Basic financial liabilities**_ Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. 

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. 

## _**Derecognition of financial liabilities**_ 

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled. 

**2.10 Employee benefits** The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received. 

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the Charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits. 

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**51** 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

_**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

- **3 Income from donations and legacies** 

|Donations and gifts<br>**4**<br>**Income from charitable activities**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2023**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**Fundraising income**<br>Income within charitable<br>activities<br>26,478<br>-<br>**Grants receivable**<br>Grants receivable for<br>charitable activities<br>-<br>463,661<br>**Advertising income**<br>Income within charitable<br>activities<br>-<br>-<br>26,478<br>463,661|**Unrestricted**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>25,205<br>31,916<br>**Total**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**2022**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>26,478<br>44,955<br>-<br>44,955<br>463,661<br>-<br>232,809<br>232,809<br>-<br>1,350<br>-<br>1,350<br>490,139<br>46,305<br>232,809<br>279,114|**Unrestricted**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>25,205<br>31,916<br>**Total**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**2022**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>26,478<br>44,955<br>-<br>44,955<br>463,661<br>-<br>232,809<br>232,809<br>-<br>1,350<br>-<br>1,350<br>490,139<br>46,305<br>232,809<br>279,114|
|---|---|---|
|||**Total**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>44,955<br>232,809<br>1,350|
|||279,114|



## **5 Income from investments** 

||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|
|---|---|---|
||**funds**|**funds**|
||**2023**|**2022**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Interest receivable|576|3,737|



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**52** 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

**NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

|**6**|**Other income**|||
|---|---|---|---|
|||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|
|||**funds**|**funds**|
|||**2023**|**2022**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Sponsorship|108,377|135,618|
||The Fertility Show income|14,000|1,275|
|||122,377|136,893|
|**7**|**Charitable activities**|||
|||**2023**|**2022**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Staff costs|412,386|312,563|
||Depreciation and impairment|330|413|
||Activities undertaken directly|160,465|87,413|
|||573,181|400,389|
||Share of governance costs (see note 11)|71,182|26,071|
|||644,363|426,460|
||**Analysis by fund**|||
||Unrestricted funds|179,465|186,612|
||Restricted funds|464,898|239,848|
|||644,363|426,460|
|**8**|**Auditor's remuneration**|||
||Fees payable to the charity's auditor and associates:|**2023**|**2022**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||**For audit services**|||
||Audit of the financial statements of the charity|6,000|-|



## **9 Trustees** 

None of the Trustees (nor any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the Charity during the year. 

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**53** 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

## **10 Employees** 

|The average monthly number employees (including full time and part time staff) during the year was:<br>**2023**<br>**Number**<br>22<br>**Employment costs**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>Wages and salaries<br>393,612<br>Social security costs<br>24,309<br>Other pension costs<br>7,321|**2022**<br>**Number**<br>17|
|---|---|
||**2022**<br>**£**<br>300,722<br>16,009<br>5,410|



The number of employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000 is as follows: 

|£60,001 to £70,000<br>The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.<br>Aggregate compensation<br>**Governance costs**<br>Staff costs<br>Legal and professional<br>Analysed between<br>Charitable activities||**2023**<br>**Number**<br>1<br>133,162<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>12,856<br>58,326<br>71,182<br>71,182|**2022**<br>**Number**<br>-|
|---|---|---|---|
||||113,214|
||||**2022**<br>**£**<br>9,578<br>16,493|
||||26,071|
||||26,071|



## **11 Governance costs** 

All costs are allocated based on estimated actual use of service provision. 

## **12 Taxation** 

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes. 

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**54** 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

**NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

- **13 Tangible fixed assets** 

|**Cost**<br>At 1 April 2022<br>Additions<br>At 31 March 2023<br>**Depreciation and impairment**<br>At 1 April 2022<br>Depreciation charged in the year<br>At 31 March 2023<br>**Carrying amount**<br>At 31 March 2023<br>At 31 March 2022<br>**14**<br>**Debtors**<br>**Amounts falling due within one year:**<br>Trade debtors<br>Other debtors<br>Prepayments and accrued income<br>**15**<br>**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**<br>**Notes**<br>Other taxation and social security<br>Deferred income<br>**16**<br>Trade creditors<br>Other creditors<br>Accruals and deferred income|**Fixtures,**<br>**fittings &**<br>**equipment**<br>**£**<br>25,038<br>5,147<br>30,185<br>24,548<br>4,499<br>29,047<br>1,138<br>491<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>7,810<br>35,039<br>200<br>2,084<br>4,268<br>5,589<br>12,278<br>42,712<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>6,665<br>5,544<br>142,563<br>153,064<br>47,060<br>4,853<br>28,240<br>14,762<br>8,160<br>3,870<br>232,688<br>182,093|**Fixtures,**<br>**fittings &**<br>**equipment**<br>**£**<br>25,038<br>5,147<br>30,185<br>24,548<br>4,499<br>29,047<br>1,138<br>491<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>7,810<br>35,039<br>200<br>2,084<br>4,268<br>5,589<br>12,278<br>42,712<br>**2023**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>6,665<br>5,544<br>142,563<br>153,064<br>47,060<br>4,853<br>28,240<br>14,762<br>8,160<br>3,870<br>232,688<br>182,093|
|---|---|---|
|||30,185|
|||24,548<br>4,499|
|||29,047|
|||1,138|
|||491|
|||**2022**<br>**£**<br>35,039<br>2,084<br>5,589|
|||42,712|
|||**2022**<br>**£**<br>5,544<br>153,064<br>4,853<br>14,762<br>3,870|
|||182,093|



- 16 - 

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**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

**NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

|**16**<br>**Deferred income**<br>Other deferred income<br>Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:<br>Deferred income is included within:<br>Current liabilities<br>Movements in the year:<br>Deferred income at 1 April 2022<br>Released from previous periods<br>Deferred income at 31 March 2023|**2023**<br>**£**<br>142,563<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>142,563<br>153,064<br>(10,501)<br>142,563|**2022**<br>**£**<br>153,064|
|---|---|---|
|||**2022**<br>**£**<br>153,064|
|||171,535<br>(18,471)|
|||153,064|



## **17 Retirement benefit schemes** 

The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Charity in an independently administered fund. 

## **18 Designated funds** 

To provide funds to deliver a refreshed long-term strategy and business plan for the charity together with governance improvements. This is to ensure that the charity is in robust financial health for the foreseeable future. 

||**At**|**1 April**|**Transfers**|**At**|**31 March**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**2022**|||**2023**|
|||**£**|**£**||**£**|
|||-|72,566||72,566|
|**Previous year:**|**At**|**1 April**|**Transfers**|**At**|**31 March**|
|||**2021**|||**2022**|
|||**£**|**£**||**£**|
|||12,300|(12,300)||-|



- 17 - 

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**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

## **NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

**19 Unrestricted funds** 

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. 

||**At 1 April**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers**|**At 31 March**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**2022**|**resources**|**expended**||**2023**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|General funds|249,965|174,636|(179,465)|(124,060)|121,076|
|**Previous year:**|**At 1 April**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers**|**At 31 March**|
||**2021**|**resources**|**expended**||**2022**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|General funds|217,726|218,851|(186,612)|-|249,965|



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**57** 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

|**20**<br>**Restricted funds**<br>The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may<br>be used.<br>**Movement in funds**<br>**Movement in funds**<br>**Balance at**<br>**1 April 2021**<br>**Incoming**<br>**resources**<br>**Resources**<br>**expended**<br>**Transfers**<br>**Balance at**<br>**1 April 2022**<br>**Incoming**<br>**resources**<br>**Resources**<br>**expended**<br>**Match**<br>**Funding**<br>**Balance at**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Health & Social Care Board<br>2,842<br>22,946<br>(22,224)<br>-<br>3,564<br>50,800<br>(46,276)<br>-<br>8,088<br>Scottish Government Health Board Project & Options<br>14,763<br>44,733<br>(44,506)<br>-<br>14,990<br>47,668<br>(45,893)<br>-<br>16,766<br>Scottish Government Fertility Education Project<br>56,253<br>49,240<br>(48,053)<br>-<br>57,440<br>47,357<br>(48,225)<br>-<br>56,572<br>Belfast Cathedral Sit Out Appeal<br>1,079<br>1,000<br>(174)<br>-<br>1,905<br>920<br>-<br>-<br>2,825<br>Scottish Government Fertility Network Scotland<br>Projects<br>43,509<br>-<br>(8,509)<br>-<br>35,000<br>35,599<br>(41,491)<br>29,108<br>Restricted donations<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>12,300<br>12,300<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>12,300<br>Scottish Volunteer Project<br>815<br>9,500<br>(8,998)<br>-<br>1,317<br>9,500<br>(9,016)<br>-<br>1,801<br>VCSE Health & Wellbeing Fund<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>97,229<br>(97,229)<br>14,592<br>14,592<br>TNL Community Grant<br>12,703<br>72,946<br>(75,941)<br>-<br>9,708<br>71,254<br>(73,469)<br>29,329<br>36,822<br>Scotland Covid Funding<br>-<br>20,460<br>(19,459)<br>-<br>1,001<br>9,930<br>(10,931)<br>-<br>-<br>Match funding for Wales<br>901<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>901<br>-<br>(901)<br>-<br>-<br>PHA Clear project Western Trust<br>-<br>4,991<br>(4,991)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>PHA Clear project Belfast Trust<br>-<br>4,991<br>(4,991)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>PHA Clear project Western Trust<br>-<br>1,000<br>(1,000)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>PHA Clear project Belfast Trust<br>-<br>1,000<br>(1,000)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>TNL Community Fund England<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>93,403<br>(91,466)<br>7,573<br>9,509<br>132,866<br>232,808<br>(239,846)<br>12,300<br>138,127<br>463,661<br>(464,898)<br>51,494<br>188,383|**FERTILITY NETWORK UK**<br>**NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**<br>**_FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023_**|
|---|---|



**58** 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

**59** 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

|**20**<br>**Restricted funds**<br>**(Continued)**<br>PHA Clear project Western Trust - Mindfulness for Life 8 week programme for TTC group of up to 20 people with 6 weekly follow on sessions.<br>PHA Clear project Belfast Trust - Mindfulness for Life 8 week programme for MTL group of up to 20 people with 6 weekly follow on sessions.<br>PHA Clear project Western Trust - Enhancement funding of 4 weekly additional sessions to increase mindfulness personal practice for TTC group and introduce<br>mindfulness to some additional new group members.<br>PHA Clear project Belfast Trust - Enhancement funding of 4 weekly additional sessions for MTL group to focus on using mindfulness to address deep grief and loss<br>using resourcing and listening spaces.<br>All of the above grants were received after successful application for funding by Fertility Network UK.<br>All of the grants are restricted to expenditure as agreed with the grant body during the application process.|**FERTILITY NETWORK UK**<br>**NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**<br>**_FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023_**|
|---|---|



**60** 



**Fertility Network UK Annual Report** 

## **FERTILITY NETWORK UK** 

**NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ 

|**21**<br>**Analysis of net assets between funds**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Designated**<br>**funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Fund balances at 31 March 2023 are<br>represented by:<br>Tangible assets<br>1,138<br>-<br>-<br>Net current assets/(liabilities)<br>119,938<br>72,566<br>188,384<br>121,076<br>72,566<br>188,384|**Total**<br>**£**<br>1,138<br>380,888|
|---|---|
||382,026|



## **22 Related party transactions** 

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2022 - none). 

## **23** 

|**Cash generated from operations**<br>(Deficit)/surpus for the year<br>Adjustments for:<br>Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities<br>Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets<br>Movements in working capital:<br>Decrease/(increase) in debtors<br>Increase in creditors<br>(Decrease) in deferred income<br>**Cash generated from/(absorbed by) operations**|**2023**<br>**£**<br>(6,066)<br>(576)<br>4,513<br>30,421<br>61,096<br>(10,501)<br>78,887|**2022**<br>**£**<br>25,200<br>(3,737)<br>1,766<br>(20,952)<br>5,198<br>(18,471)|
|---|---|---|
|||(10,996)|



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