Skip to content
FREE RESOURCES

Navigating online DNA testing

The ConnecteDNA Project team has produced a range of useful leaflets designed to answer common questions about online DNA testing (such as Ancestry, MyHeritage, and 23andMe) and donor conception. There are versions for donor conceived people, for parents and for donors as well as case studies.

Find out more
DCN Bookshop

‘Mixed Blessings’

For families with both donor conceived and non-donor conceived children

 

A DCN booklet providing support and guidance for mixed families with children conceived in different ways. Available in print and PDF formats. 

View now

Fundraising Appeal 2026 

Our 2026 Fundraising Appeal, ‘Connecting our Community’, is focused on strengthening the connections at the heart of DCN. Our community exists so that no-one has to navigate the complexities and challenges of donor conception alone. This year, funds raised from our annual Appeal will be used to invest in improving and expanding these opportunities to engage.

Find out more

Join us for support, information and community

We have a huge range of resources and services that we provide through a membership subscription.

We keep our fees low to ensure we’re accessible to all donor conception families and whatever your circumstances we look forward to welcoming you into our community!

Find out more

We are the Donor Conception Network

Parent-led and child-focused, we have been supporting donor conception families for over 30 years.

We’re a supportive charity network providing information, support and community for those building, or thinking about building, their family through donor conception.

Find out more

Considering egg, sperm, double or embryo donation? 

Looking for information or support? Feeling alone?

If you’re thinking about using donor conception or are already having treatment, whether in the UK or abroad, we’re here to offer support, information and a community of families in a similar situation. We can help you think through your questions and concerns; just click on the section below that fits your family type to get details aimed more specifically at you and your family.

Already a parent? 

Looking for help with telling your child about their conception?

We know it can be daunting to tell your child that they are donor conceived. We believe that openness is best for the child and for the whole family and have 30 years’ experience helping families to think through how and when to share their family’s story. We have books, workshops and online chats to help you navigate these conversations. We also have specific guidance for people with older children who haven’t been told yet, as well as opportunities for children to meet others made ‘just like them’. Choose your family type from the options below to find out more.

Who are you?

Het couple leaning against each other

Heterosexual couple

Heterosexual couple
Female same sex couple

Female same-sex couple

Female same-sex couple
Male same sex couple

Male same-sex couple

Male same-sex couple
Single woman

Single woman

Single woman
Single man

Single man

Single man
Non binary family

More family situations

More family situations
Donor conceived person

Donor conceived person

Donor conceived person
Young woman

Donor

Donor
Diverse Groupe Of People From All Ages

Friend/family member

Friend/family member
Professional White Labcoat Medical

Professional

Professional

Featured events

Members and non-members

Online

Sep

26

Workshop: Telling & Talking (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 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.
Book now

Members and non-members

Online

Oct

17

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 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.
Book now

Members and non-members

In person

Nov

14

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 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.
Book now
Featured

Our Story

One of our bestsellers, ‘Our Story’ is a range of books aimed at young children aged 3-6.  They provide a simple introduction to donor conception in age-appropriate language. We have nearly 40 different versions covering a wide range of families. We even have books for donors to help them explain to their own children.

View all books

Member shortcuts

Connect via WhatsApp

Our WhatsApp groups provide a supportive community and cover a huge range of topics. Choose from 90+ groups to suit your family situation, donation type, location and more…

See all our groups

Join an online chat

DCN online chats are a relaxed, easy way to meet others in a similar situation to you and to talk through shared issues from the comfort of your home.

 

Join a chat

Find a local group

There’s nothing like meeting in person to help build friendships. We have local groups all over the UK, Ireland and some abroad to help you build a supportive community.

Find a meet-up

Upcoming events

Jun

14

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. 8 Mar 2026 11-2pm – South Hill Park Bracknell 14 Jun 2026 – California Park Wokingham 13 Sep 2026 – TBC 29 Nov 2026 – TBC 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.
View event

Jun

14

Kent – Summer picnic

Kent summer picnic – Sunday 14th June 2026 12pm – 3pm at Mote Park, Mote Avenue, Maidstone, Kent ME15 7SU. All ages and all stages welcome to join us and meet other families. (website link Mote Park – Parkland / Woodland Garden in Maidstone, Maidstone – Visit Maidstone) The coordinators will set up a picnic area on the day with a balloon and will send round a WhatsApp message on the Kent DCN group with details on the location once set up. The park is large at 450 acres, but we will be based near the Mote Park Cafe close to the car park that you access from the Mote Avenue address above. Car parking is available at £2 for up to 6 hours. There is a café, a children’s playground and public toilets, a 30-acre lake with model boats, boat hire and a miniature railway which costs 30p per ride. The park also contains an Outdoor Adventure zone which includes high ropes, segway course, climbing wall and mini golf (charges apply) – these can be pre-booked on moteparkadventure.com or may have availability on the day if not busy. See their website for more info. There’s also a natural woodland play area and a skate park. If you want to join this event, please let the coordinators know you are coming by signing up. Equally you are very welcome to just turn up on the day, however we might need to notify you of last minute changes, so if you want to stay in touch please sign up. If you are not already a member of the Kent What’s App group join here to keep updated: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EeTphxQNmT48AwDVNWtBQJ
View event

Jun

14

West London meetup

Come along to join the next meetup for members in West London on Sunday 14th June at Ravenscourt Park. 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.
View event

Jun

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
View event

Jun

15

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.
View event
View all

Find exclusive content in our Members’ area

DCN members enjoy access to a dedicated area packed with tailored resources – videos, guides, magazines, research insights, and more – all specially selected with our members in mind.

Take a look

About the Donor Conception Network 

They say it takes a village to raise children. Well, sometimes it takes a village to help you even contemplate that journey.

We’re a supportive charity network of over 2,200, mainly UK-based, families with children conceived with donated sperm, eggs or embryos, those thinking about or undergoing donor conception procedures and donor conceived people. We provide support, information and a community of families in a similar situation.

Find out more

♡ Donate today 

We are a small charity and are funded by membership fees and donations. If you would like to support us, your donation would be greatly appreciated and will help us support the next generation of donor conception families.

Donate now

News & personal stories

Read personal stories from donor conception families and donor conceived people, our recommended books, news and more...

Articles

New resources to help you navigate online DNA testing 

Articles

What can we learn from the world of adoption?

Personal stories

Tom and Ben's path to parenthood

Personal stories

'I wish you knew' by solo mum Anita

Personal stories

Sienna's story of becoming an egg donor

Articles

Our flagship London conference

Articles

Bringing donor conceived people into the conversation

News

DCN statement on File on 4 programme on Northern Cyprus

Articles

Known donation – is it the ideal option?

Articles

Truth, lies and donor deception

Articles

DCN statement on sperm donor with rare cancer-causing gene

Articles

Choosing the unregulated route

News

Your Story, Your Language: ‘Our Story’ is now available in Welsh!

Articles

Seed or sperm? Building confidence through language

Articles

Record keeping, incorrect data and responsibility

Articles

Telling older children

Articles

What about the men?

Articles

Processing grief

Articles

Why embryo donation is a little different

Pick of the month

How family bonds affect donor-conceived teens' identity journey

News

DCN statement about 23andMe filing for bankruptcy

Articles

Our volunteers are our frontline

Articles

What is a 'real' parent?

Articles

Telling your child: do you ever feel ready?

Articles

Going solo – the opportunities and the challenges

Pick of the month

Experiences of single motherhood using a donor (The Guardian)

Articles

No models, only examples

Recommended reads

'Relative Strangers' by Petra Nordqvist and Carol Smart

Articles

Expenses, compensation and new fees for UK donors

Pick of the month

Three tales of late motherhood (Metro)

Personal stories

A personal story of blood and belonging

Articles

The Young Adult Study: How are donor conceived people doing?

Recommended reads

‘Inheritance' by Dani Shapiro

Pick of the month

A cautionary tale of the consequences of deceit and a lack of legal protection

News

PET launches new Fertility Policy Tracker

Pick of the month

An ‘indie’ sperm donor’s perspective (heyreprotech.com)

Pick of the month

‘Ask a therapist’ guidance on sharing information with a disinterested child (US Donor Conceived Council)

News

DCN director Nina Barnsley wins lifetime achievement award

News

DCN statement on new Netflix documentary, 'The Man with 1000 Kids'

Pick of the month

Parenting a Donor-Conceived Child – 8 Things I've Learned

Pick of the month

The challenges of buying sperm

Recommended reads

Proud of Me by Sarah Hagger-Holt

Recommended reads

Building a family with the assistance of donor insemination by Ken Daniels

Recommended reads

Another Mother by Shanta Everington

Pick of the month

Donor conceived Lindsay B. shares her perspective on International Donor Conception Awareness Day

Pick of the month

A call to tackle ethnic disparities in gamete donors (BioNews)

Pick of the month

The complex nature of parental influence

Recommended reads

Going it Alone: A Guide for Solo Mums in the UK
View all

Sign up to our mailing list

If you’re interested in donor conception issues, whether personally or professionally, do sign up to our mailing list.

If you are a donor or a donor conceived adult this is also the way to connect with us and access the support we offer you.

Sign up now
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.