North/Central London young families' group (children born 2023-2026)
Come and join the other members of the new North/Central London famlies’ group for meetups in Primrose Hill every month. The group is aiming to grow the community of children who are growing up together with other donor conceived children .
Dates for the coming year:
September 12th
October 10th
November 14th
December 12th
Windsor solo mum group are inviting solo mums (and mums-to-be) from across the county, to join their next events.
13 Sep 2026 11am-2pm South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell RH12 7PA
29 Nov 2026 11am-2pm 6th Staines Scout Group, Burges Way, Staines-upon-Thames TW18 1YA
Times and locations if not listed are tbc but usually South Hill Park Bracknell, California Park Wokingham, Lammas Park Staines or Windsor Great Park, with a hall in the winter (Windsor usually). Anyone free to email me for further info at dcnwindsorway@gmail.com.
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 Suzanne, solo mum to a child 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.
This is a DCN chat for couples who are parents, who are considering or having treatment with double or embryo donation, or have children conceived through this route.
DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This chat will be facilitated by Hugh and Hannah, parents to two children, the eldest conceived with sperm donation and the youngest 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, but a facilitated event to exchange experiences and meet others who can relate to your journey.
Come along to join an opportunity to meet other members in the Surrey area on Wednesday 16th September at 8 pm at the Caballo Lounge on Epsom High Street.
Jane, who is coordinating this event, will be there to welcome you. Please do come along- meet others, share as much or as little of your stories that you wish, make new contacts and friends.
Come along to join this friendly and engaged group for in-person meetups scheduled across the year:
Next date:
Sunday 20th September at Blaise Castle (weather permitting) from 10am-3pm.
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]
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
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
Couples with children ages 8-12 (heterosexual and same-sex, including separated couples)
You are invited to join us for a conversation for members parents to children children ages approx. 8-12 approx
DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Harmony, mum to two, conceived with 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
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
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 youโre 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.
Glasgow: Saturday 26 September, 10h30, @ Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8AG, UK
These meetups will be the chance to enjoy socialising, coffee, lunch (if anyone wants to stay longer) and the chance for any children to play and bond. Sarah who is coordinating this event will look forward to welcoming you.
Members in all situations are very welcome. Whether you have children already or still considering, do come along to meet others in the Network.
Glasgow: Saturday 3 October 2026 10h30 @ The Royal Commonwealth Pool, 21 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh, EH16 5BB, UK
These meetups will be the chance to enjoy socialising, coffee, lunch (if anyone wants to stay longer) and the chance for any children to play and bond. Sarah who is coordinating this event will look forward to welcoming you.
Members in all situations are very welcome. Whether you have children already or still considering, do come along to meet others in the Network.
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.
This DCN chat is for men only – in heterosexual couples, considering, undertaking 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
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
North/Central London young families' group (children born 2023-2026)
Come and join the other members of the new North/Central London famlies’ group for meetups in Primrose Hill every month. The group is aiming to grow the community of children who are growing up together with other donor conceived children .
Dates for the coming year:
September 12th
October 10th
November 14th
December 12th
Anonymous donation - for parents who used anonymous donation to have their children
This DCN Chat is aimed at discussing anonymous donation and how that is experienced for parents trhough anonymous donation. The chat will be facilitated by Valentina, DCN member, and mum through egg donation to two children through anonymous donation.
Please be aware that the Anonymous donation chatโs purpose is to understand the meaning that is given to the anonymous donation and how it is managed by those who are already parents. Prospective parents can join the call, however the main goal is to offer an opportunity to talk through the meaning that recipient parents give to the anonymous donation, rather than explore whether this is the best route for prospective parents, which would be best done in the thinker/tryer spaces.
This DCN Chat is to offer a space to talk about experiences. This is not an educational event and rather, is offered as a peer-support opportunity.
Solo parents to children in primary school (approximately 6-12 years old)
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’.
** Becuase of the nature of the conversation we ask that participants are particularly careful not to share identifying details of their donor.
Workshop: Telling & Talking (solo mum and two-mum families)
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 youโre 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 couplesโ 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, weโll 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. Weโre 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 ยฃ35 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 ยฃ35 for members. If youโre not a member, we have a special ticket for you which includes 6 months’ of DCN membership and this ticket costs ยฃ75. After 17 September, tickets will cost ยฃ45 and ยฃ85 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.
Itโll take place online via Zoom but we know that life gets busy so weโre also offering a watch-again link for two weeks if you canโt join us on the day. Please note that the Meet & Connect session won’t be recorded.
**Who is it for?**
Itโs appropriate whether youโre 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.
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
Solo parents - 2026 babies born or expected this year
This is a DCN chat for solo mums or solo dads with babies born or expected in 2026 or 2027.
DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This event will be facilitated by solo mum to two and DCN volunteer, Siska.
Join us for a supportive space to talk to others in similar situations. This is not a professionally led or educational event.
If you find that you need further more professional support, please don’t hesitate to contact the DC Network office on enquiries@dcnetwork.org
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 Suzanne, solo mum to a child 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.
This is a DCN chat for solo mums and dads who have children ages 5 and under.
DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Adrienne, solo mum to a child born 2017. 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
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
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
Miscarriage or other significant challenges during treatment with donor gametes
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.
Men Only Get-Together: Dads or intended dads through sperm Donation
Join an in-person meetup for men only, and specifically for those considering, in treatment, or dads through sperm donation.
Do join us for this event โ we would love to see you there! Chris will be there to welcome you and help everyone have a great evening.
We know it can feel awkward to join meetups where you don’t know people, especially around a sensitive topic like this, but we never fail to hear excellent feedback about these events and how valuable they are.
This is a DCN chat for couples, heterosexual or same-sex, who are new parents to babies born in 2026.
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
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
Workshop: Telling & Talking (IN PERSON, mum-and-dad families)
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 youโre 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.
North/Central London young families' group (children born 2023-2026)
Come and join the other members of the new North/Central London famlies’ group for meetups in Primrose Hill every month. The group is aiming to grow the community of children who are growing up together with other donor conceived children .
Dates for the coming year:
September 12th
October 10th
November 14th
December 12th
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]
The next meetup for solo mums in the Thames Valley area, has been scheduled for:
Sunday November 15th 2026 1-4pm at Lewknor Village Hall.
Please join the WhatsApp group for updates by using this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HYUNXPzzu8gCXZFTGUZJM3
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
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 Suzanne, solo mum to a child 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.
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
Event for prospective parents thinking about using egg, sperm or embryo donation.
If youโre 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.
๐ช๐ต๐ผ ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ? 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.
๐๐ณ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ถ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐น: The full day costs just ยฃ80 per person or ยฃ140 per couple when booked before 22 October (ยฃ95 and ยฃ170 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.
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐’๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐บ๐บ๐ฒ?
You can find the full programme with timings below.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ธ
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 bring some lunch 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 on dedicated tables by family and donation type. Sharing time with others on a similar journey to yourself can be incredibly valuable.
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
Weโve 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.
