What Happens When It Doesn't Happen?

[NuForms]

I have recently been selected to receive one of Arc Centre's Art and Mental Health Micro Commissions, which provide stepping stone funding for artists, individuals or groups to explore health related creative ideas and projects within Stockport, Greater Manchester. They are awarded by Arc and part funded by UK government and the UK Prosperity Fund.

My project is to create time and space for women who are not parents to explore their fertility journey through the creation of a series of artworks. Infertility, I have found, can be a very lonely and isolating place and feels like a bereavement and hopefully this will be a time to connect with other women who actually get it.

If you or someone you know are interested in taking part then please get in touch.

[Milliemoss]

Hi, the post you have put sounds very intersting. I still feel that it is all a very taboo subject and although the idea of meeting together with other women sounds like an interesting idea, I would not feel comfortable meeting strangers to discuss this. I haven't been able to be fully open to my family and friends about what we have been through and joining a group would be something I would feel very guarded about.

It is a brevement and it's very difficult. I would hope the group you plan to run can make a difference to women who are able to be fully open about this difficult issue. I just don't feel that I am at that point yet.

I am based near to Greater Manchester and familir with Arc.

I feel there is a lack of suport for women where they can be genuine about how they feel but also not have to make this their full identity. It is a very difficult balance. Good luck with your project, it would be interesting to hear about how it progresses.

[NuForms in reply to Milliemoss]

Hi, you are totally right, it is such a taboo subject.

We made a decision right from the very start of our journey, which seems like ages ago and also a blink of an eye ago all at the same time, that we would just be very open about where we were up to and that was right for us, but I know for example my sister, when she was going through IVF, her and her husband didn't want to talk about it to others at all.

It is a bereavement and whilst I feel strong most of the time, like all grief, it'll come and bite you and grab you. I'm learning to embrace those moments and not feel guilty about how I feel when they do get me. If there are tears, there are tears, if there's a bit of rant, then there is a rant! A very good friend of mine is pregnant at the moment and I am so delighted for them, but I'm sad for me too. The tension between those feelings can be exhausting.

I'll definitely let you know how it goes. It would be absolutely wonderful to have you there if you felt able to come along. You never know, talking about it with people you don't know might be helpful. No pressure obviously.

Sending lots of love and light your way.