London, 24 Sept 2021, aspiring to win GT Academy supporting the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone, Southeastern’s highspeed train driver, Toby Trice, is on track for success. The pivotal and career-defining race at Silverstone coincides with a breakthrough in his fertility journey. His challenges with fertility inspired him to launch Southeastern’s support group, dedicated to helping colleagues experiencing similar struggles.
Now expecting their longed-for child, a baby boy, in December, Trice and fiancée Katie Housley began their fertility journey in 2014. Originally seeking a positive outlet for his frustrations and a way to channel his love of racing, Trice joined South East Racing Programme in 2019.
Not only did he find success on the track, taking eight class wins at the Ginetta GT Academy series this year, but Trice has also used this platform to raise awareness for male infertility as an ambassador for Fertility Network UK and at Southeastern since 2019.
His latest project includes creating a gender inclusive support group, which will launch in October, with Southeastern’s Recruitment & Assessment Officer Lydia Mortley. The platform will give Southeastern employees a safe space to connect with colleagues who are also facing fertility challenges, through in-person events and an all-inclusive podcast, dedicated to couples affected by infertility.
This initiative builds on Trice’s work from 2020, which saw him create a 45-member peer support group, focussed on male infertility. Confronted with numerous lockdowns, the group continued to meet and support each other through regular virtual sessions, providing guidance and educational resources.
Each of these initiatives are part of Southeastern’s long-term efforts to support all its employees facing fertility challenges, both practically and emotionally, including a fertility policy which launched in 2019.
Southeastern’s highspeed train driver, Toby Trice said: “My fiancée and I can’t wait to welcome our baby boy in December. It has been a challenging journey in so many ways – so helping others through their fertility experiences with the support of Southeastern, as well as being able to use racing as a positive outlet to de-stress has been an incredible help. Hopefully a win this weekend will bring conversations around fertility, particularly amongst men, to an even greater audience.”
Head of Colleague Experience, Southeastern, Natalie Sparrow comments: “Southeastern is proud to support its employees and their loved ones throughout their fertility journeys. Whether that is through time for medical appointments and support group attendance – or creating safe spaces for employees to connect over shared experiences. Our organisation is committed to providing the support needed for our staff during this time.”
