Introduction

Co-Founders Carol O’Reilly and Elizabeth Stringer

Surrogacy UK was founded in September 2002 by Carol O’Reilly and Elizabeth Stringer and a few others with experience of surrogacy.

The founders wanted to share their experiences as Surrogate Mothers and to provide accurate and helpful information to anyone withine the UK, with an interest in Surrogacy. They set up the original Website and Discussion/Help Board and quickly became overwhelmed by the level of interest it generated.

As membership of the discussion board continued to swell, it was felt that an Executive Committee should be appointed to specifically take over the running of the day to day matters of the organisation. This allowed the Co-Founders more time to work in an advisory capacity, specifically on surrogacy matters, and introduced a more secure, organised and democratic way of overseeing the administrative needs of the organisation. Whilst their experience was the mainstay of the whole support network, their ideas and suggestions had to be put before the Executive Committee before any action could be taken.

In 2004 Elizabeth retired from Surrogacy UK, no longer having any active role within the organisation. Carol remains active within Surrogacy UK, as both Founder and Mediator.

Trustees/Executive Committee

As part of Surrogacy UK’s charitable status application the organisation is run in accordance with the Charities Commission guidelines and the Surrogacy Act 1985. Duties specifically for the Executive Committee include the collection and monitoring of any funds from donations. Banking duties and accounting are performed by the Treasurer.

Invoicing and payments on behalf of Surrogacy UK are all made through the Committee. Purchasing of anything with money raised has to be agreed on by the Committee before funds are made available. Expenses are paid to the Founder/ Administrator when carrying out Surrogacy UK business and have to be put before the Committee and agreed upon before any monies are released. The organisation of fundraising is monitored by the Committee. Surrogacy UK is operated as non-profit making, non-commercial organisation and the committee has sole responsibility for deciding how funds are used.

The Committee reserve the right to refuse membership to Surrogacy UK where it is thought necessary for various reasons as set out in our Rules of Membership. The Founder/Administrator has no say in this final decision although she may make an appeal to the Committee. The documentation and presentation of Surrogacy UK literature is decided on by the Committee with input from the Founder. In all cases above the decision of the Committee is always final – by a majority vote. The Committee are aware of the importance of their roles and the requirements for giving notice should they decide to relinquish their position. The Committee are also fully aware of their role as set out within the Charities Commission literature and have agreed to abide by this at all times.

Our patron is Mr Peter Brinsden, MB FRCOG, Former Medical Director of the world famous Bourn Hall Clinic.

Surrogacy UK is recognised by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and the British Medical Association (BMA).

All information held by Surrogacy UK is held in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Surrogacy UK is a non-profit making Organisation and it is not run on a commercial basis.

Message Board

Surrogate Mothers, Intended Parents and other interested parties may become registered users of the Message Board. Registered users of the Message Board are NOT Members of Surrogacy UK and therefore do not have a vote at our AGM. Please follow the instructions on the board in order to register.

We also have a number of private forums that are only visible to Surrogacy UK Gold Members. To gain access to our private forums you are required to become a Surrogacy UK Gold Member.

Website

Our website contains a host of useful information including advice on how to choose a clinic, a legal page with advice on how to register a surrogate birth, advice on how to apply for a Parental Responsibility Agreement and advice on how to apply for a Parental Order.

Conferences

Surrogacy UK holds regular events throughout the country and everyone is welcome to attend including Non-Members of Surrogacy UK. There is usually a charge for these events to cover the costs of catering, room hire, etc. Full details are listed under the heading Events on our website or under the heading Conferences on our Message Board.

Surrogacy Workshops

We have at least 3 main Conferences during the year where we hold workshops for Intended Parents, Surrogate Mothers and their partners. These workshops are an ideal way to talk to others who have either been through a Surrogacy Arrangement or are considering doing so. Each workshop is lead by an experienced Surrogate Mother or Intended Parent and they give everyone the opportunity to ask questions and talk about surrogacy issues in detail.