Each year in September, World Childless Week provides a space for people who are childless not by choice to share their stories, to connect and to raise awareness. In this guest blog, Rachel Applegate and Alison Borgelin from the No Kidding support group share ways you can seek or offer support if you or someone you know is affected by childlessness.
Did you know?
According to the Office for National Statistics UK, 18% of the women who reached 45 years of age in 2017 were childless at the end of their childbearing years, compared to 10% the previous generation (born 1945).
It’s likely that someone you know may be affected, but it can be very difficult to discuss the topic.
There are many different reasons for being childless not by choice. Often there are multiple and complex circumstances, such as relationship circumstances, physical or mental health, complex fertility journeys, social and economic situations and many more.
How can I support someone I know or find support myself?
Here are the University of Bath, you can learn more in our guide to supporting employees who are childless not by choice. This guide can also be helpful with supporting friends and family.
We have a staff network for colleagues who are childless not by choice (for any reason or circumstance) to connect with others. The No Kidding support group was established by two Staff Wellbeing Champions in 2022. It’s a small, friendly and discreet network where colleagues can meet to build connections and share experiences, discuss topics of interest, and ask for support or advice. We meet regularly (on campus or online) and we have an online space to share resources.
To find out more, contact no-kidding@bath.ac.uk
Whether or not you are childless not by choice, we invite you to spend a short time exploring some of these resources to understand more from the perspective of the childless community:
- 5-minute read: Childlessness – the unspoken workplace inclusion issue. Published by Diversity Council Australia, written by Michael Hughes.
- 30-minute listen: Growing the inclusion pie. Inclusive Growth Show, Episode 70. Toby Mildon interviews Jody Day. Audio and transcript.
- Got a bit longer: Explore some of the resources and stories shared via World Childless Week. This year’s themes include Childless LGBQTIA+, Childless Health Care, among others. It is a rich resource of personal stories, expressed in many different forms and can help understand different facets of the experience.
What’s coming up?
Navigating the Challenges of Childlessness: a mindfulness session from the No Kidding Network – Monday 29 September 3pm to 4pm
The Northern Centre for Mindfulness and Compassion offer an online taster session for those navigating the unique challenges of living a life without children.
See the event details to find out more and book a place.
No Kidding have monthly meet up dates in the diary – if you would like to find out more about the group, see our No Kidding support group page or contact Alison and Rachel at no-kidding@bath.ac.uk
- Monday 15 September 13:00 – 14:00 MS Teams
- Thursday 16 October 12:00 – 13:00 On campus (3 East 2.20)
- Tuesday 18 November 15:00 – 16:00 MS Teams
- Thursday 11 December 12:00 – 13:00 On campus (3 East 2.20)
We also have a new Library List of recommended books on the topic of childlessness, covering different aspects and experiences of childlessness, anyone is welcome to take the books out on loan. You can access these books via the University library, whether you are directly affected, or would like to find out more to support others or to inform research perspectives.
