World Childless Week encourages anyone dealing with the grief of being childless to consider joining a support group. Whilst everyone has their own unique journey parts of our stories often overlap. Being amongst others who recognise and validate our grief can help in the healing process. Support groups give us the feeling of belonging and the freedom to speak openly without judgement. Each support group has a different ethos so take some time to read the groups full description on their page to ensure it is the right one for you at this moment in time.  

If you run a support group or organisation and would like to be added to this page please get in touch

EMERGENCY HELPLINES

The Wikimedia Foundation Trust & Safety team maintains this list of resources for anyone either needing support during a personal crisis, or who knows someone who may need that support.

Additional countries can be found at List of suicide crisis lines

SUPPORT NETWORKS & GROUPS

AGEING WITHOUT CHILDREN

Ageing Without Children (website) Supporting people ageing without children with resources, links to information and advice, and events. Campaigning and influencing at all levels of government, to raise the issues of those ageing without children so that their needs are addressed. Local groups – where people ageing without children can come together for peer support, to share experiences, obtain information and work with local organisations to ensure that the needs of people ageing without children are included in policy, planning and services for older people. The local groups will be run by volunteers ageing without children and supported by AWOC.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Childfree Wealth Financial planners, coaches and investment advisors vary greatly.  I focus on helping you learn, rather than ‘taking over’ or putting you into a forced structure.  I am Childfree and know that is different when doing life and financial planning. The blogs encompasses many aspects: long term care for childless individuals, life and financial planning, wills and power of attourney.

PETS

Blue Cross Pet Bereavement and Pet Loss Lives are transformed by the love and companionship pets bring. So, saying goodbye to one – whether due to death or separation – is always sad, difficult and often traumatic. It affects people in many ways. But, remember, you are not alone, our free and confidential support service is here for you by phone, email or webchat.

We also have a Facebook group.

REMEMBRANCE SERVICES

Saying Goodbye Services Services for people who have lost a child at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy, whether the loss be recent or 80 years ago. In addition, anyone who has been through fertility treatment or who has never been able to have children for whatever reason, is most welcome.

WORKPLACE TRAINING & GOVERNMENT POLICIES

HR: Human Rocks We care about wellbeing in the workplace, and we are sure it can be achieved for everyone. We help businesses shape creative environment and establish effective HR policies and communication. And we do it not by launching rules just out of the blue but by inviting everyone to be their creator. First of all and above all, we are humans. So, Humans, let's go rock!

MIST (Miscarriage & Infertility Support Training) was founded by Katy Schnitzler, an academic and specialist in the areas of pregnancy loss, infertility and childlessness. Katy is passionate in helping organisations to support people experiencing these pervasive, yet silenced issues. Katy brings her decade of lecturing and training experience to advise on: pregnancy loss, infertility and childlessness, employers' legal responsibilities, policy reviewing and writing, and inclusion and equality.

New Legacy Institute is leading social justice advocacy for equitable and consciously inclusive action and environments, for people without children. We are focused on change in the key areas of organizational culture & employment policies, access to public benefits & services, all forms of media representation, inclusive marketing, social equity and government policies. Addressing the political economy of pronatalism and the social marginalization and misunderstanding of those without children, through social, organizational, and policy centered change initiatives.

Vita Stiģe-Škuškovnika I'm Vita, diversity expert on childlessness issue. I promote inclusion and equality for childless people in Latvia and abroad. I will help You and Your company enhance understanding of diversity and childlessness, thereby improving the internal climate, promoting employee well-being and productivity, strengthening the company's reputation and competitiveness in attracting talented people. See below for Latvian support group Dzīve bez bērniem.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Ageing Well Without Children (support group) AWOC is a UK based organisation aimed at people over the age of 50 without children: by choice, circumstance, infertility, bereavement, estrangement, distance or any other reason. An Ageing Without Children toolkit has been created to help social care and support organisations better understand and support anyone ageing without children, which you can download here

All Our Apricots A free space for the childless and child loss community to share stories, resources, memorials, to find connection virtually or face to face and to heal.  Our free programme of events, support groups and webinars will help build the brighter future we all deserve.  

Andra sidan tröskeln Blev ditt liv ett liv utan barn, fast du helst hade velat ha egna? Har du svårt att veta hur du ska hantera situationen som ofrivilligt barnlös? Vet du inte när och hur du ska sörja förlusten av ett barn du aldrig fick? Har du svårt att släppa taget och kliva över tröskeln till ofrivilligt barnlös? Ett av dina livsmål gick inte i mål. Hur kommer du vidare?

Andre Veier - Foreningen for permanent barnløse Andre Veier is for anyone who, voluntarily, involuntarily or by circumstance lives without children. We fight for a more community-oriented, truly egalitarian and diverse society, where everyone is valued regardless of reproductive ability.

Being Fruitful Without Multiplying (Childfree and Childless) The group started a s a collaboration of three women sharing their stories about living a life without procreation. If you are Childfree or Childless - you are welcomed to join our Facebook group to share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences about living a life without procreation. In the privacy of our CLOSED FORUM you can feel comfortable expressing yourself with others like you, share articles and book recommendations, or even just rant!

Canadian Childless not by Choice Collective This group is specifically for Canadians who have ended our TTC or adoption journey's without a babe. If you are still trying there are lots of infertility support groups, this isn't one of them.

Childfree Teachers Childless not by choice are welcome to join this group. Welcome! There aren’t many teachers without children in their lives. Sometimes it can feel like you’re alone. This group is a place for teachers from all over the world to come together and share ideas, resources, stories, interests, pets, whatever you feel. Mainly it’s just a place to connect and find like-minded individuals that just for whatever reason leave children in the classroom at the end of the day.

Childless & Childfree Women in Australia and NZ This group is for childfree and childless women in Australia and New Zealand who, either by choice or circumstance, haven't had children (biologically or by law). This is a safe space to share stories about life without children, the great and the sad. The freedom and the loneliness. The carefree and the judged. You are welcome.

Childless Chicks (No TTC). This is a group for women who cannot have children. If you are TTC'ing, are pregnant, already have a child (or children), but have "secondary infertility" , or have adopted children, this is not the place for you. Step-parents, foster parents, and those raising their nieces/nephews/siblings/cousins will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Childless Christians Being childless is isolating enough, and then more often than not, we lack the kind of support we need because talking about God and the bible isn't allowed in most groups. This is a place for childless men and women of faith to come and talk together. Posts are not REQUIRED to be religious, or about God, this is just a place where topics about God are ALLOWED.

Childless in the Workplace - Support, Empowerment and Resources This group is for women and men who are childless in the workplace - it is the hope that in this group we can share, thoughts, ideas, resources about how to manage and start to have the conversation about being childless in the work place.

The Childless Life A private group for women who are coming to terms with childlessness. A safe space for us to talk about heartbreak and the stupid things people say to you without the fear of someone asking you the dreaded question "do you have kids”. We are also creating a safe space to talk about what brings you joy (even if it seems impossible).

The Childless Men’s Community A group to give childless not by choice (CNBC) males a safe place to find support and encouragement from their brothers around the globe. Please note this group is for males only and is not for anyone who has had a child (biological, adopted) or still trying to conceive.

Childless Not By Choice-Embracing Life A safe space for people who were not able to have any living children to come find positive and uplifting content from members in similar circumstances. It is for those who feel they are further along in their grief journey and have found themselves in a place of more happiness and acceptance.

Childless Not By Choice-Non-religious This is a group for people who are childless (NOT BY CHOICE) and who are either atheist, agnostic or just don't like religion! It's a place where people can feel safe saying things that in groups with religious people, might offend those religious people and a place where one can find support and thoughtful responses to our different, yet similar, situations.

Childless Not By Choice Singles-Friendship and Support A friendship and support group for women and men who are CNBC and facing life on their own. This is not a dating group, but if you connect with someone in this group good for you, just be smart and safe about it!

Childless Not By Choice: Step Parents (no ttc talk) It's an extremely hard journey to be a step parent - being on the sidelines watching your partner with their kids from another relationship. Expected to do all the things a "parent" does, but not necessarily being appreciated. Together we can discuss the highs and lows of being a step parent whilst also supporting each other through the pain of being childless.

Childless Not By Choice - Support This is a support group for anyone who is childless but not by choice. It is NOT a child free or childless by choice group. It is solely for people who have NO living biological or adopted children. It is for those who want children but do not have any due to life circumstances.

Childless Not By Choice - support group for the LGBTQIA community (no ttc) This is a safe place for the LGBTQIA community who have found themselves childless not by choice.

Childless Not By Choice With Civilla Morgan This group was created as a safe haven for women who are childless not by choice. It is a place to talk, post words of encouragement, or even vent. It is OK to vent and to cry. But I also want you to realize it is possible to live a relevant and joyful life, we just have to choose to do so!

Childless Stepmom Support group I know from experience that stepmoms who do not have biological children can be treated differently in other stepmom support groups. I want this to be a group where childless stepmoms feel welcomed and free to express their thoughts and feelings without being judged.

Chronic Survivors Childless Warriors This is a support self help group for childless women who also cope with a chronic condition. This is a place to share, care, laugh and engage with like minded and understanding women.

Den Hemmelige Hytta This group is for all women (from Norway and from abroad) who, for whatever reason, either medical or related to life circumstances, are involuntarily without children (childless). The group is for those who are not currently trying to conceive. In other words, whatever your age and whatever your situation, you have come to the “end” of your (in)fertility journey: you know you are going to be living your life without children.

Dzīve bez bērniem Grupa ir droša vide sievietēm, kurām nav bērnu dažādu apstākļu vai neauglības dēļ, t.i., ne pēc savas izvēles (childless not by choice). Grupa ir savstarpējam atbalstam, iedrošinājumam un sajūtai, ka Tu neesi viena. Lūgums respektēt, ka grupa ir paredzēta tikai sievietēm.

Empowered Childlessness I created Empowered Childlessness for Women and Men who are childless out of circumstance, loss and choice. I have felt the importance of a place to talk about the healing process from grief to empowerment. To embrace our journey. To recognise and start to let go of what holds us back in our lives and reconnect to our joy, freedom and vitality. We so deserve that!

The Empty Cradle - ‘The Well’ You have traveled a dusty path, arriving thirsty and ready for nourishment. You are greeted by women who understand your pain from the inside out. In all our complexity, we come together to share stories, support each other, laugh, cry, and have deeply connected conversations about life. Together we create meaningful lives filled with freedom, purpose and joy.

The Feminine School of Wisdom You are invited to a 6-week guided ceremonial journey, online and in-person. Alongside other childless women you will gain loving support, healing and a deeper connection with yourself and others, build self-confidence and see into a future that has greater meaning and purpose for you. The course culminates in a healing and sacred group ceremony on Dartmoor, in Devon, UK.

Femme Sans Enfant Catherine-Emmanuelle Delisle donne, depuis 2012, la parole en français à un groupe social encore marginalisé dans la société : les femmes sans enfant par les circonstances de la vie et par choix. Catherine-Emmanuelle Delisle est également créatrice de groupes d'entraide en français via la plateforme Meetup à Montréal, Québec, Paris et Bordeaux.

IFchildfree: Childfree Living After Infertility A community to celebrate the freedoms and share the struggles of living childfree after infertility. Please note: This board is ONLY for those who have tried unsuccessfully to conceive, stopped medical treatment, and are embracing a childfree life.

Involuntarily Childless Researchers This group is for involuntarily childless folks who conduct research on any and all aspects of the experience of involuntary childlessness to share: resources, articles, stories of how we came to our research paths, the research process (methodology, epistemology, theoretical frameworks, ethical issues, data collection, analysis, dissemination, etc.), advocacy, and any other topics that we feel may be beneficial to this research community.

Kodomo no inai jinsei o kangaeru kai Kodomo ga inai jinsei. Jibun no jinsei o jūjitsu sa seru hōhō, kodomo ga inakute mo kōsei o motto yoku suru hōhō, son'na koto o kangaeru neta o go shōkai shi, kangaete iku pējidesu.

More To Life Involuntary childlessness is challenging but it is still possible to have a fulfilling life. Whatever your circumstances, we offer support, advice and coping strategies on ways to begin to move forwards and find a way to appreciate and enjoy your life without children. Our support is not just for women. Men matter here too, individually or as part of a couple.

The Non-Mum Network You've heard of Mumsnet...well, this is Mumsnot. Are you a Non-Mum who's ever felt Anon? I've always been into clubbing, but the one club I REALLY wanted VIP entry to was the Mum Club. So I decided to set up my own exclusive members-only club....for Non-Mums only! So if you're childless or childfree, come on in and join us.

Papillon Breathwork Group Breathe, share, chat and connect in a confidential and non-judgemental space where all of your authentic self is welcome. Journey in to everything breath-related and how it can support us physically, emotionally & spiritually on our childless journey. See you there

Pivot to Possibility Women Embracing Life Without Motherhood is a community of other like-minded women without children who are ready to process and move beyond loss, dismantle harmful societal narratives, and find new meaning in their lives so they can embrace their unique journey with confidence, satisfaction, and a sense of peace and purpose in the world.

Simpukka Simpukka-yhdistyksen SYKE-verkosto (Simpukan Yksin ja Kaksin Elävät) tarjoaa tukea ja toimintaa lopullisesti lapsettomille. Tällä alasivulla löydät tietoa verkostosta ja sen toiminnasta, opasta Uutta polkua etsimässä - kun lapsettomuus on lopullista, sekä muita resursseja lopullisesti lapsettomille.

Simpukka Finlands SYKE-nätverk (inom föreningen Simpukka) ordnar stöd och verksamhet för bestående barnlösa. På nätverkets underflik hittar du info om nätverket och dess verksamhet, guidehäftet På spaning efter en ny stig - då barnlösheten är bestående, samt andra resurser för permanent barnlösa.

Social Infertility Support Group for (mainly single) Women Supporting those women who are Childless because they did not meet the right partner during their most fertile years.

Soltando el sueño de la maternidad Este es un lugar seguro para mujeres que desearon ser madres y no lo consiguieron. Ahora es el momento de seguir adelante, aceptar que no serás madre por duro que sea y abrazar la vida que tienes, no la vida que imaginaste. Necesitarás un poco de ayuda para llegar a lograrlo. Somos personas que comprendemos y queremos llegar a la aceptación de nuestra actual situación. Este es nuestro camino.

Sonder Sisterhood A safe and nurturing space dedicated to supporting single and childless women on their unique life journeys; offering understanding, encouragement, and strength. We embrace the diversity of experiences and emotions that come with being single and childless. We believe every woman's path is meaningful and valid, and together, we can navigate the challenges and celebrate the joys that life brings our way.

Step by step Brighton The group is run by CNBC and child-free step mums for childless step mums. We run monthly support sessions in person in Brighton and online for women across the Uk. We offer a supportive and empowering space for open & honest discussion, friendship and support. We find common and often unspoken themes through the journey of being a childless step mum.

Transforming Childlessness into Joy and Purpose Michelle-Maree, a shamanic healer, grief counsellor and Intuitive Energy Coach, offers to guide you in breaking free from the grief and loss of childlessness, transforming it into purpose and joy. With her transformational tools and techniques, she is committed to mentoring and supporting you on the rollercoaster ride of emotions, helping you to live your best life.

Ungewollt kinderlos Nähe Frankfurt/Main: Selbsthilfegruppe für ungewollt Kinderlose: Wünschst du dir auch Kontakt zu anderen, die ungewollt kinderlos sind? Ich würde mich über persönliche Treffen freuen und gründe im Taunus (ca. 20 km nördlich von Frankfurt/Main) eine Selbsthilfegruppe dazu. Ich freue mich über jede Person, die dazukommen möchte.

DISCLAIMER: Please note the resources and material provided on this website is for information only and World Childless Week cannot guarantee there are no mistakes or errors. World Childless Week cannot vouch for the services, products or treatments provided by anyone mentioned on the website. Should you act upon any of the information provided on this website, you do so at your own risk.