**Anyone used the British Surrogacy Centre or advice on surrogacy in the UK?**

[Mitsy14]

Hi there
My hubby and I have years of failed IVF:( and have now decided to go down the route of surrogacy. We've come across the British Surrogacy Centre (BSC) and wondered if anyone has got experience of using them/heard about them or any general advice - it would be much appreciated. it's a huge move and we're feeling very nervous especially as there is no legal contracts to be used in the UK...

We looked into Surrogcy UK and COTTS but both have long waiting lists and it's all very much introductions to both IPs and surrogates at social events - whereas the BSC seem to 'match' you to surrogates in the UK that they have. Seemed to have more of a process and system?

Thanks,
Mitsy x

[QOD]

No . But good lucl!
I joined cots with my own surrogate and dd is now 17

[fizzyrubbish]

The BSC is the vanity project of Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, who should not be allowed anywhere near vulnerable women, given his track record of threats, intimidation and abuse.

If they do have a list of surrogates with whom they promise to match you then they are in contravention of UK law regarding surrogacy. Presumably they will only find you a match once they have received a nice fat registration fee from you, which used to be £5k but has probably gone up with inflation.

Commercial surrogacy is illegal in the UK, which is why organisations like COTTS have long waiting lists.

Barrie Drewitt Barlow's attitude and disregard towards women is terrifying. This ought to give you some idea. www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2895772/Surrogate-fathers-tore-life-apart-Used-abused-called-trailer-trash-UK-poster-boys-gay-fatherhood-turned-woman-hired-womb.html

Megan Hoffner is currently suing him in the US because not only did he leave her £60k out of pocket, by way of retribution for this interview, he released her personal medical details online.

The staff of the BSC consist of Barrie's personal coterie; including Reece Statham, Kirstie Maguire, Scott Hutchison and Mandie Mayes. These individuals also work for Barrie's Essex Style magazine and for Princeton Cosmetics. Their average age is 23 and they have a media background.

You might want to check out the Parent Makers on YouTube to get a better idea of this outfit and ask yourself if you really want to work with them and if you could trust them.

My friend went there after 17 failed attempts at IVF and ended up almost needing to be sectioned after enduring threats and abuse from Barrie when it all went wrong. There are also issues in terms of cutting corners at all stages; their surrogates receive no psychological screening or even ID checks and sperm is not subject to a quarantining process.

Women need to be warned to stay away from this narcissistic charlatan. He will stalk you, dox you and make threats against your family if you do anything to raise his ire.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/could-uks-first-gay-dads-7214266

Comments on this are very revealing. 'Mercedes de silver' seems to have an axe to grind...

[makingmiracles]

Mitsy, search Facebook for "uk surrogacy the foyer".
I would strongly caution using Bsc, they have a terrible reputation and are not nice people.

[OddBoots]

There is a very good reason surrogacy in the UK is done through social connections, relationships and free choice. Being matched up is just asking for trouble in a nation with no legally binding contracts.

[SurroMummy13]

Hi

I am a surrogate mum and my IP's and myself are with Surrogacy UK.

Their ethos is 'friendship first'.

I'm with amazing IP's and know many other Surros and IP's.

If you'd like to talk more you're more than welcome to PM me. I can try and help as much I can.

Good luck in your journey and I am so sorry about your previous losses. X

[AhHaaaaa]

OP please don't go with BSC. Unless you want a journey where you spend huge amounts of money, meet your surrogate once, then maybe once more during the journey, then meet up after birth and bye. It's very much a business transaction journey, which if that's what you want great. They are also unsure whether they are based in the UK or US depending on which laws they want to get round.
Yes definitely look them up on you tube.
The majority of oeople match independently through meet ups or on Facebook.

It seems like venus message is sadly ones y get when posting publicly which are along the lines of " pay for my air fair and visa and I will live with you and be your surrogate" and take your money and not show up, or use the airfare and vanish, scammy mcScamScam.

I'd pick SUK.

But it depends if you want to be matched artificially. With COTs, it's the surrogate who picks the IPs from a list. Even if you do not get a good feeling/match you are encouraged to match with the surrogate as you will not be picked again etc, it's all artificial. But works for some. It's more business arrangement led than SUK.

Also let family/friends know. You never know who might have tight and will offer. A journey with a friend/family member would be wonderful.

[UllCrossMeOnlyOnce]

I can vouch for the negative comments here regarding 'dealings' with the certain Narcissists' they involve. After listening and watching the constant 'Life and Times' of those who continue to thrust their 'vast Wealth' and 'Endless Buisness Ventures' down the throats of unsuspecting TV viewers every few months, just to update an entourage of loyal followers (about the Success of the 'said' Buisness Ventures??? Or maybe Not 🤔?) I can only advise 'Any one' (may it be Man or Woman!) to do your Homework first. The internet is an amazing tool if one has the patience to search on it and who knows, it could be a God Send if you DID. Be prepared to face the Wrath of Venom you WILL encounter if you so much as frown upon the Integrity of some!

[EarlGreyT]

A dodgy clinic in the Ukraine per chance alicia. Please do piss off with your spam, you’re not welcome here.

[Firefly12345]

Don’t waste your money on Bsc...they lie!!! I wouldn’t trust them. I wanted to become a surrogate mum for someone, as I have children and I wanted to give someone else that chance. So I contacted bsc after ringing many times and leaving many answers phone messages they finally got back to me. I spoke to someone called Mandie Mayes after she confirmed I’d been accepted, I then sent all my details over after that there was a few more questions I needed answered. so I yet again I tried to contact Mandy I spoke to 4 different people who tried to make out they were all Mandie and they gave me 4 different story’s. They did it for me!!! I wouldn’t trust these people at all.. all they want is your money they will not help you find a surrogate mum. Believe me x

[Linleydrive23]

Warning to everyone Please Do NOT you use the British Surrogacy Centre in Essex!!!!! 

I paid my fee of €8000 but before sending my contact over but I decided I should wait until I had sorted my relationship issues before proceeding.

I was told by Reece that a refund was fine but via PayPal instead of the banking system. Unknown to me this meant I lost over £600 which seemed unfair so I returned straight away and advised I wanted my original payment cancelled so I would get a full refund as per the banks advise.

Reece said I needed to get my bank to send a refund request for this even though the banks confirmed this wasn’t needed. Then every time I asked for an update I got told the bank needed the request and they hadn’t received it. After 12 attempts from my bank I contacted PNC who BSC use to bank and they confirmed all 12 requests were received but also that no one from BSC had made contact to authorities the refund so they were unable to send the money back.

Numerous times Reece stated he had called the bank but they hadn’t received the requests so he couldn’t do anything and I needed to speak to my bank. I tried to help and called PNC who stated this wasn’t correct as they had no record on account of anyone calling in.

I asked Reece then if I could sign and send a contract or what other options there are to me as I wasn’t getting my funds returned. I was told I couldn’t do anything and I had no options as the funds were in dispute so I had to wait for the banks to resolve this. I was then told this is why he couldn’t do a wire transfer!! if the bank hadn’t received these return requests as I was told then how would there be a dispute!!!

I finally spoke to and passed on a name and tel number for PNC resolution team who I had several chats and passed onto Reece to call ( after 2 wks of his annual leave then apparently the staff member at PNC 1 Wk leave even though I spoke to here during this apparent leave) I was told I would get a refund via bank transfer but had to accept the currency change. I agreed in order to end this 5 month struggle to get my funds back and sent my details over.

A Wk after with no refund again I was told he was on leave and now I’m being ignored…. What an awful way to treat an IP struggling to have a child. This is meant to be a non profit company but intend to keep my entire upfront payment for a service I never had or used as I signed no contract. 100% profit more like, so now I’m seeking legal advise… be warned and go else where.

I hope this post is ok to list but I think everyone need to hear about this and please pass on to other IPS. If I get my money returned or anymore further actions I will update you all

[Linleydrive23]

Warning to everyone Please Do NOT you use the British Surrogacy Centre in Essex!!!!! 

I paid my fee of €8000 but before sending my contact over but I decided I should wait until I had sorted my relationship issues before proceeding.

I was told by Reece that a refund was fine but via PayPal instead of the banking system. Unknown to me this meant I lost over £600 which seemed unfair so I returned straight away and advised I wanted my original payment cancelled so I would get a full refund as per the banks advise.

Reece said I needed to get my bank to send a refund request for this even though the banks confirmed this wasn’t needed. Then every time I asked for an update I got told the bank needed the request and they hadn’t received it. After 12 attempts from my bank I contacted PNC who BSC use to bank and they confirmed all 12 requests were received but also that no one from BSC had made contact to authorities the refund so they were unable to send the money back.

Numerous times Reece stated he had called the bank but they hadn’t received the requests so he couldn’t do anything and I needed to speak to my bank. I tried to help and called PNC who stated this wasn’t correct as they had no record on account of anyone calling in.

I asked Reece then if I could sign and send a contract or what other options there are to me as I wasn’t getting my funds returned. I was told I couldn’t do anything and I had no options as the funds were in dispute so I had to wait for the banks to resolve this. I was then told this is why he couldn’t do a wire transfer!! if the bank hadn’t received these return requests as I was told then how would there be a dispute!!!

I finally spoke to and passed on a name and tel number for PNC resolution team who I had several chats and passed onto Reece to call ( after 2 wks of his annual leave then apparently the staff member at PNC 1 Wk leave even though I spoke to here during this apparent leave) I was told I would get a refund via bank transfer but had to accept the currency change. I agreed in order to end this 5 month struggle to get my funds back and sent my details over.

A Wk after with no refund again I was told he was on leave and now I’m being ignored…. What an awful way to treat an IP struggling to have a child. This is meant to be a non profit company but intend to keep my entire upfront payment for a service I never had or used as I signed no contract. 100% profit more like, so now I’m seeking legal advise… be warned and go else where.

I hope this post is ok to list but I think everyone need to hear about this and please pass on to other IPS. If I get my money returned or anymore further actions I will update you all