Family Planning Association

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This article is about the UK charity. For the Hong Kong organisation, see The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong.

The Family Planning Association, also known as fpa, is a UK registered charity (number 250187) working to promote sexual health. It celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2005. Its motto is "Putting sexual health on the agenda".

The FPA was founded in 1930 when five birth control societies merged to form the National Birth Control Council (NBCC). Its stated goal was "so 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, to the Family Planning Association (FPA) in 1939, and to fpa in 1998.

Although originally only offering a service to married couples, or those about to be married, this rule was relaxed in 1970. Contraception was not freely available through the National Health Service until 1974, and prior to this FPA clinics filled the gap.

In 1938 the FPA (then called the NBCA) moved to 69 Eccleston Square which was the headquarters of the Eugenics Society.(Wellcome Library[1] FPA Identity Statement)

The organisation's first administrator was Margaret Pyke OBE. Following Pyke's death in 1967, Jean Medawar took over as chair. As of late 2006, the President is Baroness Gould of Potternewton, the Chairman is Ian Plaistowe, and the Chief Executive is Anne Weyman OBE. The Vice Presidents are: Jacqui Lait MP, Joan Ruddock MP, and the Baroness Tonge. Patrons include: Minnie Driver, Jenni Murray OBE, Dr Miriam Stoppard, Polly Toynbee, and Beverley Turner.