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The Agora Clinic – Educational and Volunteer sponsors of The Modern Family Show 2023!

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The Agora Clinic is extremely excited to be once again both the Educational and Volunteer Sponsors for The Modern Family Show (MFS) in London. This will be for the third year running which is a testament to our belief that all those from the LGBTQIA+ community embarking on a parenting journey should be empowered with a full understanding of their options before they start their journey and have the opportunity of meeting, talking and listening to experts in the field, as well as those with a lived-in experience of modern parenting. What this event offers which is so different to all other fertility shows, is that it is a safe and considered space where inclusivity is the norm and not the exception and there are no hard sell acts. Everyone there is genuinely invested in making this an educationally informative event like no other and giving attendees the best chance to make informed and balanced decisions about their future parenting routes. The feedback from previous years confirms that this is exactly what our delegates want and get from the day.

Everyone on the MFS Agora team regards it as an honour and privilege to be a part of this remarkable one-day, boutique event and there is a real buzz to be up there on our stand, on one of the stages or working with the team of volunteers. In the last two shows in 2021 and 2022, our staff have come away truly energised and inspired both from meeting and talking to delegates as well as interacting with so many other sponsors, experts and advocates attending the show. There is a sense of community and a shared common goal; to improve the pathways and options available to the LGBTQIA+ community which is what brings a real spirit of togetherness to the day.

Every modern parenting journey is different, just as every human being is unique. Being cognizant of and acknowledging this is of fundamental importance to us and is the ethos of what the MFS is about. Apart from creating a safe space to discuss your options and celebrating inclusivity and diversity, the show is there to help you navigate through the choices you can make now, or in the future, to create a family.

I am sure many considering attending are a bit apprehensive and possibly confused about their particular journey, and that is perfectly normal and understandable, particularly when it comes to understanding the complexity of what’s involved. Attending the Modern Family Show is a fantastic opportunity to find out more and get involved in the many interactive Q & A sessions which are always a highlight for our experts and delegates.

Our Medical Director Dr Carole Gilling-Smith and Egg Donation Lead Michele Gilling-Ulph will be on the Main Stage and Agora Educational Hub leading the way on a wide range of family building talks and panel discussions about surrogacy, egg donation, shared motherhood, trans fertility and recurrent IVF failure.  We want all future parents, whether they are hetero, single, or couples from the LGBTQIA + community, to clearly visualise what lies ahead so they can plan physically, emotionally, and financially for their fertility journey.

The Modern Family Show embodies our mission statement ‘empowering the freedom of reproductive choice’. We are proud to be part of such a wonderful event, and we are very much looking forward to it.

Dr Carole GIlling-Smith

Michael Johnson-Ellis is Dad to Talulah and Duke, step Dad to Katie, and husband to Wes. Since having children Michael changed his career from a stressful city job, to being an award winning Surrogacy advocate, supporting those who are struggling to conceive or are from the LGBTQ community, and dream of parenthood. Michael blogs and documents his life as a parent via TwoDadsUK® on Facebook and Instagram. Michael and Wes are both founders of TwoDadsUK®(www.TwoDadsUK.com), The Modern Family Show 2021 (the only UK LGBTQ family building event, and the latest Surrogacy not for profit organisation My Surrogacy Journey®(www.mysurrogacyjourney.com). Michael also writes for IVF Babble, the world’s largest online fertility magazine and has recently established IVF Babble LGBT. Michael recently was awarded one of the twenty two Census purple plaques, recognising his work to the trying to conceive community. TwoDadsUK has collaborated with brands such as Cow & Gate Baby Club, Audi, Save The Children, Vodafone, Sainsburys, and appeared on TV such as BBC Breakfast, CBeebies and Channel 4 to name a few.

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