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Chat for Family members of donor conception recipients

Family members of donor conception recipients, who are members of DC Network, are invited to join this new DCN Chat. This is aimed at offering ...

10 Dec 20:00-21:15

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Family members of donor conception recipients, who are members of DC Network, are invited to join this new DCN Chat.
This is aimed at offering close relatives, such as parents and other close family, a chance to meet and talk within a safe space, about feelings and experiences within the context of the donor conception that their children or relatives are going through or have been through. This Chat is for you if you have children or relatives who are considering, undertaking treatment, or have children conceived with egg or sperm donation.

DCN chats are held on Zoom and offer a space for a small group of people to talk through some key issues, with the support of a facilitator who has some experience of a similar nature.

We are piloting these calls and very mindful of the sensitive nature of them and confidentiality of participants. We will ask you to confirm in writing an agreement relating to the privacy of the call.

We hope you will join us for a unique opportunity to share with others. Please see guidance about the Code of conduct below.

Please read the Code of conduct if you wish to take part in the session. You will need to confirm acceptance of these terms in order to join the call. This will also be sent in your confirmation email.

https://dcnetwork.org/app/uploads/2025/03/DCN-Chat-Code-of-conduct-4.pdf

Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any questions or to give feedback on dcngroups@dcnetwork.org.

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More upcoming events

Members and non-members

Online

Oct

18

Workshop: Telling & Talking (solo mum and two-mum families)

** FULLY BOOKED ** 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.
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Member event

In person

Oct

19

West London meetup

Come along to join the next meetup for members in West London on Sunday October 19th at The Eagle, 215 askew road, W12 9AZ. Members in all family circumstances are warmly welcome as well thinkers & triers! Local group coordinator, Chloe, solo mom of 2 year old Lily, will be there to welcome you and the families will have a chance to meet. Save the date for the next one on: – Sunday December 14th
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Member event

Online

Oct

19

Couples (including separated couples) with children ages 4-7

You are invited to join us for a conversation for members who are parents to children aged 4-7 years old. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Joumana, mum through egg donation to two children. 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
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Member event

Online

Oct

20

Single women - Sperm 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 donation or considering double donation and offers a space for discussion and peer support. This chat will be facilitated by Anna. Anna is a solo mum in the Network who kindly volunteers to support others. 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
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Member event

Online

Oct

21

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.
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Member event

Online

Oct

23

Heterosexual couples -Chat for those undergoing treatment with egg donation

A space for members who are in the process of undertaking treatment with egg donation, to come together to talk about shared issues. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Anna. 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 support, please dont hesitate to contact the DC Network office on enquiries@dcnetwork.org
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Member event

Online

Oct

23

Heterosexual couples -Chat for those considering egg donation - Prospective parent

A space for members considering egg donation, to come together to talk about shared issues. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Alex. *There is a separate group running for those undertaking treatment already – this group is predominently for thinking through this route to parenthood. 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 support, please dont hesitate to contact the DC Network office on enquiries@dcnetwork.org
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Member event

In person

Oct

25

***New event: Hertfordshire - meetup

Come along to join the next meetup for members in Hertfordshire at St. Marks church hall on Saturday 25th October Members in all circumstances and family circumstances are warmly welcome! There is a kitchen facility there that is available to be used. Local group coordinator, Randi, will be there to welcome you!
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Member event

Online

Oct

29

Couples (including separated couples) with children ages 0-3

You are invited to join us for a conversation for members who are parents to small children aged 0-3 years old. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Rachel, who together with her husband, has two children through donor conception. 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
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Member event

Online

Nov

3

Couples with babies born or expected 2025/6

This is a DCN chat for couples, heterosexual or same-sex, who are new parents to babies born in 2025/6. 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 Ian, who together with his wife, has one child concieved through egg donation who is 3 years old. 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
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Member event

Online

Nov

4

Solo parents + partners

This is a DCN chat for solo mums (or solo dads) who started the road to parenthood on their own and are now at a stage where they are thinking of letting potential partners into their life or already have a partner. This can be in many ways. It is a chance to get together to think about how this plays out for the children and those around them. We share different living concepts which is very enriching. This chat will be facilitated by Stefanie, whose situation mirrors the topic of this DCN Chat. 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
Book now

Member event

Online

Nov

5

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
Book now

Member event

In person

Nov

6

**New Event**: London meetup - Lambeth north

Join us for an evening meetup at the Hercules pub. Members at all stages in all circumstances are very welcome and new members are particularly invited! This is a chance for adults to discuss any aspects of donor conception and is a great opportunity to meet others in the Network and get some support from our community. Yael will be facilitating this event. The pub is located just opposite Lambeth North Tube station and a few minutes walk from Waterloo station. We have secured a private room upstairs.
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Member event

Online

Nov

6

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.
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Members and non-members

Online

Nov

8

Workshop: Continuing the Conversation

NEW workshop for parents of donor conceived children aged 10-20. Do you find the idea of your child connecting with their donor or half-siblings a daunting prospect? Perhaps you’re unsure how to raise the topic with them, or you’d value a safe space to explore what it might mean if – or when – they choose to make contact? Our new Continuing the Conversation workshop offers just that: a supportive space to think about the future, consider the possible implications, and build confidence in navigating these conversations with your child. It is suitable regardless of whether you used an anonymous, ID release or known donor, although the conversations might be different, of course. **At this event, you will:** * Think about the future and what might unfold for you and your child if and when they want to make contact with genetic connections * Build confidence in having conversations about the donor and genetic relatives. **The workshop will enable you to:** * Consider the options available to you and your child – gain an understanding of the options available for accessing information about your donor and your child’s half siblings, whether you had treatment in the UK or overseas * Share common hopes and fears that parents experience when their child talks about the donor * Learn about how and when you might raise the topic with your child * Think through what questions your child might have and what support they might need * Connect with other parents of donor conceived children * Be ready for the wide range of feelings your child might have, how they might differ from your own, and how they might change over time. * Gain knowledge and confidence to support you and your child in decision making. **Who is it for?** This workshop is specially designed for parents of donor conceived children aged 10-20 years who have already told their child about being donor conceived. It is suitable for all family types and is equally appropriate whether your treatment took place in the UK or abroad. **Highlights include:** * Small group discussions with others in a similar family type (e.g. solo mums together) to you to discuss feelings and experiences * Hear donor conceived people talking about feelings towards genetic connections * Session with practical tips on starting and continuing the conversation with your child * Hosted by three extremely experienced facilitators who are parents of donor conceived people * Session on research findings on donor conceived people connecting with genetic relatives * Brief overview of ways to find information for future self-investigation. **What the workshop won’t do:** * Help you tell for the first time: This workshop is designed for parents who have already told their child about their origins and we therefore do not cover telling your child for the first time. If you have not yet begun that initial conversation, our Telling & Talking pages have information you may find helpful to get started.  * Provide detailed information on ways to find genetic relatives: we will tell you the essentials of what is possible but this workshop is not a how-to guide on connecting with genetic relatives. * Tell you *why* you should look for genetic connections: We are not offering this programme to encourage you to connect with the donor – that is always a decision for you and your family. Rather, we want to help you think about the implications for your child and for yourself if and when they seek to make contact. **Made possible with the support of the European Sperm Bank, the Young Adults Study, and our annual members’ Appeal** This workshop has been made possible by funding from the European Sperm Bank and the Young Adults Study and we are enormously grateful for their support. We also allocated the money we raised from our 2025 Appeal towards this project, including the match funding from the London Sperm Bank. Thanks go to all our donors and members for contributing and enabling us to support our community in continuing important family conversations.
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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.

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