This is a DCN chat for solo mums or dads with children at primary school ages. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Stefanie, solo mum to one child. All our DCN Chat facilitators are members themselves, and hosting the chat as individuals. This is not a professionally led or educational event. 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

This DCN Chat is aimed at discussing the pros and cons of taking steps to identify genetic siblings. We will offer a space to deliberate about the merits and pitfalls of this and what possible implications doing so/or not do so might have on you and your child. The chat will be facilitated by Adrienne, who is a solo mum with a child born in 2020. This forum is for discussing the topic, rather than a ‘how to’. ** Because of the nature of the conversation we ask that participants are particularly careful not to share identifying details of their donor.

This workshop is for parents of donor-conceived children aged 0-7 years. Not sure how to begin a conversation with your child about their donor conception story? Maybe you’re unsure about whether telling is the right thing to do? Or perhaps you’re concerned about who to tell and not tell in your life? Our Telling & Talking workshop is designed specifically with your needs and questions in mind. It provides a safe and confidential space for you to explore the benefits of telling and how to get started. This workshop is equally appropriate whether you had treatment in the UK or abroad, with a known, identifiable or anonymous donor or if your treatment involved surrogacy. You may be wondering how to start talking to your child about their donor-conceived origins, or you may have already begun this process and would like to explore what may come up in the future. As a single or lesbian woman, we recognise that your experiences are different from the time your pregnancy becomes public knowledge, and that attending our workshop even before your baby is born might be helpful for you. All of our single women and lesbian couples’ workshops have a small number of places for pregnant women.

Join us for our 2026 online members’ conference! Building on the success of our London conference in the spring, we’ll be looking again at the theme of telling and talking about donor conception – not just with children, but with family, friends and the wider world. We’re looking forward to an informative day of expert talks, personal stories and practical guidance. As an online event, it’s easier than ever to fit the conference around your schedule. Tickets start from just £35 and, if you can’t attend live, you’ll receive a watch-again link so you can catch up in your own time. **Our fantastic programme includes:** * Parent Panel – Anita, Colum and Jane will be sharing their experiences of telling their children and talking with others about donor conception * Donor Conceived Perspective – DC triplet Rebecca Coxon will be talking about her complex story of family secrets and the impact of late telling * Telling and Talking Challenges – Astrid Indekeu and Jane Ellis explore some of the more difficult scenarios parents can find themselves in with regard to telling and talking (e.g. SEN children, divorce) * Elaborative Reminiscing – Javiera Navarro-Marshall will be presenting recent research on how sharing the family story (telling and talking) can help build autobiographical memories and identity development in children The event will be a webinar so attendees won’t be visible to each other and it will be hosted by Mark, one of our Telling & Talking workshop facilitators and parent through donor conception. **How much does it cost?** Early bird tickets for the online conference start at £35 for members. If you’re not a member, we have a special ticket for you which includes 6 months’ of DCN membership and this ticket costs £75. After 17 September, tickets will cost £45 and £85 for members and non-members respectively. **When and where is the conference?** The conference is on Saturday 17th October and is being held in the afternoon to make it more accessible to those outside the UK and those who have activities on a Saturday morning. The webinar runs from 2-5.30pm with an optional bonus Meet & Connect session from 5.30-6pm for those who’d like to turn cameras on and meet others. It’ll take place online via Zoom but we know that life gets busy so we’re also offering a watch-again link for two weeks if you can’t join us on the day. Please note that the Meet & Connect session won’t be recorded. **Who is it for?** It’s appropriate whether you’re at the early stages of considering donor conception or have children already. It will also be useful for professionals working in a field connected to donor conception who would like to better understand this way of building a family. **Not had children yet?** If you haven’t had children yet, you might also want to consider our in-person event in London aimed at prospective parents [Getting Started 21 November 2026](https://bookwhen.com/dcn-events/e/ev-sa984-20261121110000). **Media at our conferences** It’s really important to us that our conferences and events provide a safe, confidential space for us to discuss what can be very personal matters. We therefore do not allow journalists or media to attend unless they are joining in a personal capacity as a parent or prospective parent via donor conception or are a donor conceived adult. Everything discussed within our events is confidential and may not be reported or shared outside of the event.

This is a DCN chat for women in same-sex couples, prospective and parents alike. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be co-hosted by two volunteers: Siska and Anoushka. Come and join us for a great opportunity to meet others in the group, discuss shared topics around parenthood through donor conception in a two-mum family. All are welcome, at any stage – prospective and parents alike.