Chat

Heterosexual couple

Member event

Online

Parent

Same sex female couple

Same sex male couple

Couples with babies born or expected 2024 / 2025

This is a DCN chat for couples, heterosexual or same-sex, who are new parents to babies born in 2024, or those expecting their babies ...

27 Nov 20:15-21:15

This event is for DCN members only. Please login or join now.

This is a DCN chat for couples, heterosexual or same-sex, who are new parents to babies born in 2024, or those expecting their babies later this year, early 2025.

DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. The space will be open for you to connect with others and will be facilitated by Francina and James – parents to one child born in 2021, concieved with sperm donation.

Join us for a friendly opportunity to meet others at the same stage as you, for a place to grow friendships for you and your family.

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 is an online Zoom meetup, therefore, you will be sent a link to join the Zoom chat to the email you supply upon registration.

Sign up for free for a Zoom account here https://zoom.us/signin . Please download the software onto your phone, tablet or computer in advance of the meeting so that you are not delayed in joining.

All participants are asked to turn their video on upon joining. We also ask that if you do have noisy distractions in the background (pets/other people in the room) please mute yourself when not talking. However as this group is for new parents, we understand you are likely to have your baby/ies with you and they are of course welcome!

This event is for DCN members only. Please login or join now.

More upcoming events

Member event

Online

Nov

7

Couples - Double or embryo donation - Prospective parents

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.

Members and non-members

In person

Nov

9

Getting Started

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.

Member event

In person

Nov

10

South coast / Solent Solos- Solo parents group

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]

Member event

In person

Nov

10

West of Ireland - General

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

Member event

Online

Nov

12

Free volunteer training opportunity – Empathy fatigue and self care

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.

Member event

Online

Nov

13

Women in same-sex couples

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 hosted by Emily, herself mum through sperm donation in a two-mum family. To help us work out what the group would like to see in terms of the DCN Chats, please use this (external) link to complete a survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIyaCEOtiazxdIweueVK9k0tB6zSY7-VmYgSSr4vYbqR8vLQ/viewform [note that the responses on this link will be shared with Emily].

Member event

Online

Nov

13

Mixed families

You are invited to join us for a conversation for members who are either intending or have ‘mixed’ families – our term for those with a naturally conceived child (or adopted) and a donor conceived child, to talk about shared issues. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Laura, mum to two – the oldest naturally conceived and the youngest conceive through egg donation. All our DCN Chat facilitators are members themselves, volunteers, 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 support, please don’t hesitate to contact the DC Network office on enquiries@dcnetwork.org

Member event

In person

Nov

17

East London - local group meetup

You are invited to the Winter meetup for the general group in East London . Members at any stage welcome – thinkers, tryers and parents with kids. We will be meeting at Jo’s house Bring your own picnic lunch and something to share with everyone else, savoury as well as sweet welcome (buffet style). Teas, coffees & biscuits provided! Look forward to seeing you in person, Jo

Member event

Online

Nov

18

Miscarriage and other challenges in the donor conception journey

This DCN chat specifically for members who have experienced miscarriage following donor conception or have come up against other significant challenges which have resulted in multiple failed DC attempts. In recognition of the particularly sensitive nature of this topic, the chat/group will be facilitated by Julie, one of our DCN Professional Members, who is a counsellor experienced in working with fertility issues and donor conception. However, like other DCN chats, it is intended to offer an opportunity to share experiences, feelings and challenges with a view to creating a mutually supportive space.

Member event

Online

Nov

18

‘Reflections’ - Parents of DC Adults

You are invited to join the group for parents of DC adults. This group will be facilitated by Jane, one of our longterm members who also works with DCN. We are inviting parents of those with children who are adults. We hope this chat can offer an attuned space to the discussions that may be more relevant to the context in which children were conceived 20+ years ago, in a different climate to that which is now prevalent, with regards to openness in particular. Join us for discussion and support from peers.

Member event

Online

Nov

18

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

Member event

Online

Nov

19

Solo mums with children conceived through double or embryo donation

This is a DCN chat for solo mums through double or embryo donation- with children of all ages. Join this chat if you are pregnant/have children through double or embryo donation. If you are a thinker/tryer there is a DCN chat available for that stage. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This chat will be facilitated by Lucia, solo mum to twins through embryo donation. All our Chat facilitators are members themselves, and hosting the chat as individuals. This is not a professionally led or educational event.

Members and non-members

In person

Nov

23

Workshop: Telling & Talking (IN PERSON, mum-and-dad families)

This workshop is for parents of donor-conceived children aged 0-7 years (Unfortunately, we are unable to have babies or children present during these workshops.) They are 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.

Member event

In person

Nov

23

Thames Valley - Solo Mums' meetup

Join the next meetup for solo mums and mums-to-be in Thames Valley for a get-together at the Lewknor Village Hall.

Member event

In person

Nov

24

North west solo mums' group meetup

The North West solo mums’ group welcomes all solo mums or mums to be. A long running group led by Jenny and Kate who welcome you to join their in person meetups for support and community.

Start your journey today

We’ve been helping donor conception families for 30 years. Join us to get specialist support and information, and to find a community of families in a similar situation.

Join us