Skip to content
HomeEvents Getting Started

Heterosexual couple

In person

Members and non-members

Prospective parent

Same sex female couple

Same sex male couple

Single man

Single woman

Getting Started

Event for prospective parents thinking about using egg, sperm or embryo donation. If you’re thinking about using donor conception, you probably have lots of questions. ...

21 Mar 11:00-17:00

Book now

Event for prospective parents thinking about using egg, sperm or embryo donation.

If you’re thinking about using donor conception, you probably 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 a really informative overview of the medical side of things. We always get fantastic feedback about this session, which provides an essential foundation with lots of time for questions.
* __Donor conceived people__ talking about their experiences. How do the children feel? We know this is something lots of prospective parents wonder about. This event provides a rare opportunity to hear from them in person and ask questions. Not to be missed!
* __Parents__ talking through their decision-making and describing family life once children arrive. Nothing beats hearing from people with real life experience.

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 £80 per person or £140 per couple when booked before 19 February (£95 and £170 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 as a charity 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 have lunch elsewhere (or bring your own) 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.

𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲? We know this is an emotional topic. We’re really looking forward to seeing you and the event promises to be a warm and friendly space with lots of support available. If you want to have a chat before booking, please feel free to give us a call on 020 7278 2608 or email events@dcnetwork.org.

𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗹? We’re sorry that you can’t join us but understand that plans change. Tickets are therefore refundable in full if cancelled before 21 February; if you cancel between 21 February and 7 March we will refund you the ticket cost minus an admin fee of £30 per booking; we are unable to give any refund for tickets cancelled with less than two weeks notice. We are a small charity and these charges are simply to ensure we don’t make a loss on the event.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁: After booking you will receive a confirmation email from events@dcnetwork.org and nearer the event, we’ll send you full joining instructions.

Book now

More upcoming events

Member event

In person

Nov

30

Berkshire- Solo mums - Windsor way group

Windsor solo mum group are inviting solo mums (and mums-to-be) from across the county, to join their next events. This meeting will take place on the 30th November from 12-3. A hall has been secured and funded by DCN for this group activity. Regularly, the group have scheduled meetups on the 2nd Sunday of every other month.
Book now

Member event

Online

Dec

9

Heterosexual couples - Sperm donation - prospective and new parents

Come and join us for a private space to discuss sperm donation in heterosexual couples with others going down a similar path. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Danny, dad to two children, concieved through sperm 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 dont hesitate to contact the DC Network office on enquiries@dcnetwork.org
Book now

Members and non-members

Online

Dec

10

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 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.
Book now

Member event

Online

Dec

10

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

Online

Dec

10

Half sibling discussion

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’. ** Becuase of the nature of the conversation we ask that participants are particularly careful not to share identifying details of their donor.
Book now

Member event

In person

Dec

13

*New event*: Family meetup in North London for families with young children

Come and join North London members for a meetup in Primrose Hill playground 10:00 to 13:00 on Saturday 13th December. The group was formed by parents to children born in 2023, and is welcoming familes with young children born approximately those ages. Come along and join the group for a wintery play in the park!
Book now

Member event

In person

Dec

13

West Midlands meetup for all

You are warmly invited to the West Midlands General Group Meet up on Saturday 13th December with a visit to the *Lapworth museum and Bramall cafe on the University of Birmingham campus.* Meet 12pm at the ground floor cafe area of the Bramall music building on the University of Birmingham campus. We will have lunch/coffee there before going to the Lapworth Museum after lunch. The Bramall cafe has a small selection of food or please bring lunch with you. https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/cultural-attractions/lapworth-museum-of-geology
Book now

Member event

In person

Dec

14

Bristol - local group meetup

Come along to join this well-established group for in-person meetups scheduled across the year: 14th December is the date scheduled for the next meetup. Details to follow.
Book now

Member event

In person

Dec

14

West London meetup

Come along to join the next meetup for members in West London on Sunday 14th December 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.
Book now

Member event

Online

Dec

15

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
Book now

Member event

Online

Dec

16

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.
Book now

Member event

Online

Dec

17

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
Book now

Member event

Online

Dec

17

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
Book now

Member event

Online

Jan

14

Chat for men only - those considering or dads through sperm donation

This DCN chat is for men only – in heterosexual couples, consideirng, undergoing treatment or dads through sperm donation. This Chat will be facilitated by Chris, dad to two children, conceived with sperm donation. DCN Chats offer a space for members to come together to talk about shared issues. This is a peer support online get-together. 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 friendly non-judgemental 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
Book now

Member event

Online

Jan

14

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
Book now

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
Image contains paperdolls to the left the words Donor Conception Network
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.