Over the past few weeks, I’ve facilitated a couple of the many dozens of get-togethers that the charity Infertility Network UK runs across the country for couples with fertility problems. Watching the way that people respond to one another in the groups, and the huge relief that they feel discovering others who genuinely understand and feel exactly the same way makes it a hugely worthwhile and rewarding process – but it always makes me feel sad that so few people are reaping the benefits.

The most people we’ve ever had to one of our London support groups is around 25, and yet we know that one in seven of the population will have difficulty conceiving – and so there are many thousands of people in the capital alone who could be helped by coming along to a group.  I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea – and I’d never have thought it was mine – but even those who start out sceptical often find that there’s a great deal to be gained from a face-to-face meeting with others.

If you’re feeling a bit isolated, do think about the idea of meeting up with others. I know it can be daunting to come along for the first time, but meetings aren’t miserable occasions, they aren’t formal or alarming – it’s just a chance to get together with others who know exactly how it feels, and there’s nothing to be lost by giving it a try.