What a weekend it was at The Familymakers Show in Bristol, hosted in the breathtaking Wills Memorial Building, a truly landmark venue for a landmark event. The setting itself reflected the heart of what Familymakers stands for: visibility, progress and the legitimacy of every family journey.

For London Women’s Clinic and our partners across JD Healthcare, the event was a celebration of the many paths to parenthood bringing together science, empathy and lived experience in one inspiring space.

A Day of Learning, Conversation and Inspiration

The show opened with an emotional keynote by former MP Hannah Bardell, setting the tone for a day centred around inclusivity, courage and the shared dream of building a family.

From there, the day unfolded with a full schedule of sessions led by our experts and partners, each one sparking new conversations about fertility, choice and community.

Donor Insemination & IUI

Our morning sessions, led by Kit Morey and Elena Linara-Demakakou, explored donor insemination and IUI, offering clarity and confidence for attendees considering these routes to parenthood.

Following them, Hayley King (Paths to Parenthub) and Nicole Ashley Nel shared invaluable insights into choosing a sperm donor — highlighting how the London Sperm Bank’s approach prioritises health, personality, inclusivity and trust.

Surrogacy 101

Our Surrogacy 101 session reflected on over 400 surrogacy treatments resulting in 147 births, sharing the many lessons learned from supporting both heterosexual and same-sex couples through the surrogacy process.

Egg Freezing: 18 Years of Innovation

We also marked a major milestone — 18 years of offering egg freezing at LWC! What began as a pioneering service has grown into the UK’s largest egg freezing programme, with outcomes matching global standards. The session celebrated how fertility preservation is empowering women to take control of their reproductive futures with confidence.

The Two-Mother Journey

For LGBTQ+ families, Dr Barbara Manukian and Ellen Davenport-Pleasance led a moving discussion on Reciprocal IVF, exploring the shared biological and emotional experience of two mothers building a family together.

Family, Your Way with Kind iVF

Our partners at Kind iVF introduced their “Family, Your Way” approach — IVF designed to be affordable, transparent and accessible. The session resonated with attendees, especially LGBTQIA+ families seeking care that combines clarity, compassion and confidence.

Fertility Coaching & Self-Care

To close the day, Jamie Forster, Fertility Counsellor, led a reflective session on emotional wellbeing, sharing practical tools to help individuals and couples navigate the highs and lows of fertility treatment.

Moments That Mattered

Beyond the talks, the energy across the venue was electric. The Kind iVF team spoke with visitors at every stage of their journey, while the London Sperm Bank stand sparked open, approachable conversations about sperm donation — with their now-iconic sperm socks and keyrings helping to break the ice.

Visitors also enjoyed Familymakers goody bags, thoughtfully packed with helpful leaflets and resources from London Women’s Clinic and our partners, including information on egg freezing and Nappy Endings (surrogacy support) — designed to ensure everyone left with something valuable to take home.

And, of course, one of the most heartwarming moments of the day came when Little Percy, the baby of one of our patient couples, joined a talk, a joyful reminder of the families our work helps create.

Celebrating Families in All Their Forms

The Familymakers Show was more than an event - it was a celebration of connection, courage and community. It reminded us that behind every consultation, every embryo and every treatment, there is a story filled with hope and humanity.

We’re proud to have stood alongside so many people and partners who share our belief that every path to parenthood deserves visibility, support and celebration.