Family Planning Association
Encyclopedia
FPA is a UK
registered charity
(number 250187) working to enable people to make informed choices about sex and to enjoy sexual health
. It is the national affiliate for the International Planned Parenthood Federation
in the United Kingdom. It celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2010. Its motto is "Putting sexual health on the agenda."
societies merged to form the National Birth Control Council (NBCC). Its stated purpose was "that married people may space or limit their families and thus mitigate the evils of ill health and poverty". The NBCC changed its name to the National Birth Control Association (NBCA) in 1931, and then to the Family Planning Association (FPA) in 1939. Since 1998 it has been known as FPA.
Originally only offering a service to married couples, during the 1950s FPA clinics began to offer pre-marital advice to women, although proof, such as a letter from a vicar or family doctor, was often required before contraceptive supplies were provided.
During the 1960s, social and sexual attitudes changed dramatically. The combined pill was first prescribed in FPA clinics in 1961 and within ten years was being used by over one million women. This highly reliable method brought a new sense of sexual freedom to men and women.
By 1970, FPA clinics were offering advice and treatment, without restriction. In 1974, FPA handed their network of over 1,000 clinics to the NHS when contraception became free for all. Family planning is still part of the health service.
OBE
. Following Pyke's death in 1967, Jean Medawar
took over as chairwoman.
As of 2010, the President of FPA is Baroness Gould of Potternewton
; Vice Presidents include Jacqui Lait
, Joan Ruddock
MP, and Baroness Tonge
and the charity is supported by a number of patrons. Additionally FPA is steered by a National Executive Committee of 12; the Chair is Ian Plaistowe and the Vice Chair is Paul Woodward. In January 2008, Julie Bentley became the Chief Executive, taking over from Anne Weyman
OBE, who previously led the organisation for 11 years.
It runs "sexual health direct" on behalf of the Department of Health
, a nationwide service which provides confidential information and advice, a wide range of booklets on individual methods of contraception, common sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy choices, abortion and planning a pregnancy, and details of contraception, sexual health and genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics and sexual assault referral centres. It also provides a helpline, a find-a-clinic service and a web enquiry service called Ask WES. In Northern Ireland, where abortion is difficult to obtain, FPA offers an unplanned pregnancy counselling service.
Campaigning is a core part of the work of FPA. It played a role in obtaining the provision of free contraception on the NHS across the UK and campaigns around abortion to preserve consumer rights and choices. In May 2008, FPA and other pro-choice groups prevented a reduction of the 24 week time limit for abortion, which was debated in the House of Commons. The organisation is now trying to modernise abortion laws throughout the UK.
In 2010, FPA celebrated 80 years and rebranded with a new logo to reach more people with sexual health and sex and relationships information. During the same year it also founded an Achievers' Club to recognise people who have made significant contributions to improving the sexual health of the UK. "My contraception tool", an online tool to help people choose contraception, was launched by FPA and Brook. In October 2010, FPA also held the first all-Ireland conference on abortion for medical practitioners.
At the Charity Awards 2010, All about us, an FPA CD-ROM for people with learning disabilities, won the Disability category.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
registered charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
(number 250187) working to enable people to make informed choices about sex and to enjoy sexual health
Reproductive health
Within the framework of the World Health Organization's definition of health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, reproductive health, or sexual health/hygiene, addresses the reproductive processes, functions and system...
. It is the national affiliate for the International Planned Parenthood Federation
International Planned Parenthood Federation
The International Planned Parenthood Federation is a global non-governmental organization with the broad aims of promoting sexual and reproductive health, and advocating the right of individuals to make their own choices in family planning. It was first formed in 1952 in Bombay, India, and now...
in the United Kingdom. It celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2010. Its motto is "Putting sexual health on the agenda."
History
FPA was founded in 1930 when five birth controlBirth control
Birth control is an umbrella term for several techniques and methods used to prevent fertilization or to interrupt pregnancy at various stages. Birth control techniques and methods include contraception , contragestion and abortion...
societies merged to form the National Birth Control Council (NBCC). Its stated purpose was "that married people may space or limit their families and thus mitigate the evils of ill health and poverty". The NBCC changed its name to the National Birth Control Association (NBCA) in 1931, and then to the Family Planning Association (FPA) in 1939. Since 1998 it has been known as FPA.
Originally only offering a service to married couples, during the 1950s FPA clinics began to offer pre-marital advice to women, although proof, such as a letter from a vicar or family doctor, was often required before contraceptive supplies were provided.
During the 1960s, social and sexual attitudes changed dramatically. The combined pill was first prescribed in FPA clinics in 1961 and within ten years was being used by over one million women. This highly reliable method brought a new sense of sexual freedom to men and women.
By 1970, FPA clinics were offering advice and treatment, without restriction. In 1974, FPA handed their network of over 1,000 clinics to the NHS when contraception became free for all. Family planning is still part of the health service.
Organisational structure
The organisation's first administrator was Margaret PykeMargaret Pyke
Margaret Amy Pyke was a British birth control activist and family planning pioneer. A founding member of the British National Birth Control Committee , later known as the Family Planning Association , she succeeded Lady Gertrude Denman as chairman of that organization in 1954. She was also a...
OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
. Following Pyke's death in 1967, Jean Medawar
Jean Medawar
Jean Shinglewood Medawar was a British author and a former chairman of the Family Planning Association, and wife of the British Nobelist Peter Brian Medawar....
took over as chairwoman.
As of 2010, the President of FPA is Baroness Gould of Potternewton
Joyce Gould, Baroness Gould of Potternewton
Joyce Brenda Gould, Baroness Gould of Potternewton is a British pharmacist, trade unionist and politician.The daughter of Sydney and Fanny Manson, she was educated at the Roundhay High School for Girls and the Bradford Technical College in pharmacy. Gould worked then as pharmaceutical dispenser...
; Vice Presidents include Jacqui Lait
Jacqui Lait
Jacqueline Anne "Jacqui" Lait is a British Conservative Party politician and former Member of Parliament for Beckenham.-Early life:...
, Joan Ruddock
Joan Ruddock
Joan Mary Ruddock is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Lewisham Deptford since 1987. She is a feminist and is the wife of Frank Doran, the Labour MP for Aberdeen North...
MP, and Baroness Tonge
Jenny Tonge
Jennifer Louise Tonge, Baroness Tonge is a politician in the United Kingdom. She was Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Richmond Park in London from 1997 to 2005.-Early life:...
and the charity is supported by a number of patrons. Additionally FPA is steered by a National Executive Committee of 12; the Chair is Ian Plaistowe and the Vice Chair is Paul Woodward. In January 2008, Julie Bentley became the Chief Executive, taking over from Anne Weyman
Anne Weyman
Anne Judith Weyman OBE is a British woman. She was Chief Executive of the Family Planning Association, 1996–2008; and is a Member of the General Medical Council. She was appointed OBE in 2000...
OBE, who previously led the organisation for 11 years.
Current activities
FPA aims to improve the public's knowledge of sexual health. The organisation runs training courses and projects for professionals, grandparents, parents, carers and young people, and provides a library, information and press service to communicate sexual health information more widely.It runs "sexual health direct" on behalf of the Department of Health
Department of Health (United Kingdom)
The Department of Health is a department of the United Kingdom government with responsibility for government policy for health and social care matters and for the National Health Service in England along with a few elements of the same matters which are not otherwise devolved to the Scottish,...
, a nationwide service which provides confidential information and advice, a wide range of booklets on individual methods of contraception, common sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy choices, abortion and planning a pregnancy, and details of contraception, sexual health and genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics and sexual assault referral centres. It also provides a helpline, a find-a-clinic service and a web enquiry service called Ask WES. In Northern Ireland, where abortion is difficult to obtain, FPA offers an unplanned pregnancy counselling service.
Campaigning is a core part of the work of FPA. It played a role in obtaining the provision of free contraception on the NHS across the UK and campaigns around abortion to preserve consumer rights and choices. In May 2008, FPA and other pro-choice groups prevented a reduction of the 24 week time limit for abortion, which was debated in the House of Commons. The organisation is now trying to modernise abortion laws throughout the UK.
In 2010, FPA celebrated 80 years and rebranded with a new logo to reach more people with sexual health and sex and relationships information. During the same year it also founded an Achievers' Club to recognise people who have made significant contributions to improving the sexual health of the UK. "My contraception tool", an online tool to help people choose contraception, was launched by FPA and Brook. In October 2010, FPA also held the first all-Ireland conference on abortion for medical practitioners.
At the Charity Awards 2010, All about us, an FPA CD-ROM for people with learning disabilities, won the Disability category.