Fertility charity adds first male member to its Board of Governors

Sunday 12 November 2023

A local fertility support charity has appointed its first male board member, with its founder saying "it is vital that men are supported" throughout treatment as well as women.

Nicholas Le Quesne, an advocate specialising in family law, has been appointed to the board of ‘Tiny Seeds’, joining four other female members.

A statement released by the charity said that while Mr Le Quesne's profession would allow him to understand the complexities of fertility struggles, him and his partner also went through their own long and difficult fertility struggle, before finally welcoming their son following IVF treatment earlier this year.

Explaining his reason to take up the role, he said: "The board work tirelessly to provide support for those undergoing fertility issues and I have encountered that support in both a professional and personal capacity.

"I will do my utmost to assist the charity to grow and support my fellow board members with the important work that they do as well as increasing awareness of fertility issues encountered in Jersey by both men and women."

Pictured: Other board members include Lucy Stephenson (left), an Assistant Chief Minister.

Chloé Fosse, founding governor and Charity Operations Manager for Tiny Seeds, said: "While it is usually the woman who bears the brunt of the physical side of fertility treatment, it is vital that men are supported too.

"They can often feel sidelined and as though they need to remain strong for their partners, navigating their own emotions silently.

"We want to send a clear message that they shouldn't have to, Tiny Seeds is here to support everyone and with Nick's appointment we are so pleased to be able to diversify and welcome the first man onto our board."

Tiny Seeds is a local fertility support and awareness charity founded in 2020 which helps the one-in-six people who face a struggle to bring home a baby.

It offers practical and emotional support, and a small amount of financial support in the form of travel bursaries, for those undergoing IVF treatment.

Express recently spoke to Chloé about the travel bursaries and how she founded Tiny Seeds.

More information about the charity can be found here.