This is a DCN chat for heterosexual or same-sex couples who are prospective parents considering or undertaking treatment through double or embryo donation. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This chat will be facilitated by Cat, mum to two children conceived with embryo donation. All our Chat facilitators are members themselves, and hosting the chat as individuals. This is not a professionally led or educational event.

Event for prospective parents thinking about using a donor. If you’re thinking about using donor conception, we know you’ll have lots of questions. This event is the perfect place to start getting answers. Join us and hear from: * An embryologist from a UK clinic giving essential medical info * Donor conceived adults talking about their experiences of growing up DC * Parents by donor conception talking through their decision-making and life as a parent 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿? This event is suitable for everyone at the start of their donor conception journey, for same-sex and heterosexual couples and for those planning to become single parents. It’s a friendly, inclusive chance to meet others at a similar stage in a relaxed environment at this in-person event. 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹: The full day costs just £75 per person or £130 per couple when booked before 5 Oct (£90 and £160 after that date) and the 11am start time makes it easy to get to Waterloo and home in a day. This event is a Donor Conception Network event so you can rest assured that all information will be impartial and based on our experience of working with donor conception families for the past 30 years. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲? You can find the full programme with timings below. 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸 The ticket price includes tea, coffee and cake but not lunch; this helps us keep costs down and means you can choose and order whatever you’d like separately. You can find the pub’s menu here: https://www.thehercules.co.uk/food/menus. You are also free to take lunch outside of course but we hope you’ll stay with us during the break as it will be a great opportunity to chat with other attendees and our DCN team.

This group is for solo parents in the South coast area of the UK (including Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex). To sign up and to find out more information please contact Victoria, group coordinator, by emailing dcn.southcoast@gmail.com [Do not make the booking here]

All are welcome to this casual family meetup at Turoe Pet Farm, Loughrea, Galway. This is an opportunity to connect with other parents/guardians, share experiences and relax, while our children enjoy an activity together!! Location: Turoe Pet Farm, Loughrea, Galway. Website: www.turoepetfarm.com. Date: Sunday, 10th Nov Time: 2 – 5pm Venue: Turoe Pet Farm, Turoe House, Turoe, Loughrea, Galway, H62 A432

DCN volunteers: Join us for a free training session about empathy fatigue and self care. Empathy fatigue feels increasingly relevant. It’s when we feel the cost of caring. When we care for others, it’s important we remember to look after ourselves too. Join us to explore what is empathy fatigue? How do I notice it? And how can I make self care work for me?  There will be ample opportunity to get some good ideas and strategies to further our understanding and our resilience, as well as a chance to talk through these within the context of our volunteer roles.