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Getting Started – 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. Speakers include a donor conceived person and parents via donor conception plus an extended session with an embryologist so you can ask medical questions.

Next event – 9 November 2024

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TALKING ABOUT DONOR CONCEPTION

Telling your family story 

Build confidence in your family story and get guidance on the best way to ‘tell’ with our one-day workshop for mum-and-dad families. 

 

Online: 5 Oct

In person: 23 Nov

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We are the Donor Conception Network

Parent-led and child-focused, we have been supporting donor conception families for over 30 years.

We’re a supportive charity network providing information, support and community for those building, or thinking about building, their family through donor conception.

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Membership only £7 per month – join us! 

We have a huge range of resources and services that we provide through a membership subscription.

We keep our fees low to ensure we’re accessible to all donor conception families and whatever your circumstances we look forward to welcoming you into our community!

Find out about membership

Considering egg, sperm, double or embryo donation?

Looking for information or support? Feeling alone?

If you’re thinking about using donor conception or are already having treatment, whether in the UK or abroad, we’re here to offer support, information and a community of families in a similar situation. We can help you think through your questions and concerns; just click on the section below that fits your family type to get details aimed more specifically at you and your family.

Already a parent?

Looking for help with telling your child about their conception?

We know it can be daunting to tell your child that they are donor conceived. We believe that openness is best for the child and for the whole family and have 30 years’ experience helping families to think through how and when to share their family’s story. We have books, workshops and online chats to help you navigate these conversations. We also have specific guidance for people with older children who haven’t been told yet, as well as opportunities for children to meet others made ‘just like them’. Choose your family type from the options below to find out more.

Featured events

Featured

Our Story

One of our bestsellers, ‘Our Story’ is a range of books aimed at young children aged 3-6.  They provide a simple introduction to donor conception in age-appropriate language. We have nearly 40 different versions covering a wide range of families. We even have books for donors to help them explain to their own children.

View all books

Upcoming events

Oct

19

Bristol – local group meetup

Come along to join this well-established group for an in-person meetup at the Old Library community hub. If you would like to come along, please contact Celine and Viv via the Bristol Whatsapp group, which you can join here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JMuyHxLHE4966cGzLSfWqC

Oct

21

Single women – Sperm or double donation – Prospective parent

This is a DCN chat for single women considering or in treatment to become solo mums. This chat is open for those using sperm or double donation and offers a space for discussion and peer support. This chat will be facilitated by Anna and Kirstie who alternately run the sessions in All are solo mums in the Network kindly volunteering as facilitators. This is not a professionally led or educational event with set objectives, rather this is a space for sharing and meeting others at the same or a similar stage of the journey. Join us for a supportive space to talk to others in similar situations. If you find that you need further more professional support, please don’t hesitate to contact the DC Network office on enquiries@dcnetwork.org

Oct

22

Couples – Double or embryo donation – Parents’ chat

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

Oct

22

Single women – Double or embryo donation – Prospective parent

This is a DCN chat for single women considering or in treatment to become solo mums, considering or using double or embryo donation. This chat offers a space for discussion and peer support. This chat will be facilitated by Kerry, solo mum through double donation. All our facilitators are solo mums in the Network. This is not a professionally led or educational event with set objectives, rather this is a space for sharing and meeting others at the same or a similar stage of the journey. Join us for a supportive space to talk to others in similar situations. If you find that you need further more professional support, please don’t hesitate to contact the DC Network office on enquiries@dcnetwork.org

Oct

23

Mothering and the menopause

This DCN chat is an opportunity to talk about mothering following the menopause. The chat will be facilitated and run by Emily, who is a Mum of three young children, including twins, and had them following a diagnosis of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). Emily struggled immensely in the year following her twin’s birth due to lack of hormones and an inability to get HRT. Emily has used her years of experience as a Health Visitor and Nurse, to create Mothering and The Menopause, to ensure that no one else has to suffer like she did. Emily is confident at supporting women through difficult journeys and can help them identify their struggles, parenting effectively despite these, and help them to improve their overall wellbeing. Emily’s mission is to enable Mums of young children, to be the best parents possible despite dealing with the menopause. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. Join us for a supportive space to talk to others in similar situations. If you find that you need further more professional support, please don’t hesitate to contact the DC Network office on dcngroups@dcnetwork.org

About the Donor Conception Network

They say it takes a village to raise children. Well, sometimes it takes a village to help you even contemplate that journey.

We’re a supportive charity network of over 2,200, mainly UK-based, families with children conceived with donated sperm, eggs or embryos, those thinking about or undergoing donor conception procedures and donor conceived people. We provide support, information and a community of families in a similar situation.

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♡ Donate today

We are a small charity and are funded by membership fees and by donations. If you would like to support us, your donation would be greatly appreciated and will help us support the next generation of donor conception families.

Donate now

Sign up to our mailing list

If you’re interested in donor conception issues, whether personally or professionally, do sign up to our mailing list.

If you are a donor conceived adult this is also the way to connect with us and access the support we offer you.

Sign up now