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 ...

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

Sign up here to the DCN Chat and you will receive the link to join.

DCN Chats offers a space to chat and support to each other, to share experiences and ask questions.
Please read the Code of conduct if you wish to take part in the session. 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.

Photo by Gustavo Fring: https://www.pexels.com/photo/elderly-couple-looking-at-each-other-8770146/

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More upcoming events

Member event

In person

Jun

1

Thames Valley - Solo Mums' meetup

Join solo mums (and solo mums-to-be) for a meetup in the park: Sunday 1st June in the afternoon (Tentative times: 1:30 – 4:30pm but these are flexible) at Black Park Country Park (near Slough).

Member event

Online

Jun

2

Couples with babies born or expected 2025

This is a DCN chat for couples, heterosexual or same-sex, who are new parents to babies born in 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 Sarah, who together with her husband, have one child who was conceived with egg 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

Member event

In person

Jun

7

West London meetup

Come along to join the next meetup for members in West London, 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.

Member event

In person

Jun

12

London: Men Only Get-Together

Calling all men in the Network… Come and join our get-together for *men only* – an opportunity to meet others in the Network and discuss issues which are of particular relevance to you relating to donor conception and becoming a family through this route. This is a space for men to have a chance to talk and share and one of our lovely volunteers, Chris, will be hosting the event and waiting to welcome you!

Member event

Online

Jun

16

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

Member event

Online

Jun

17

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.

Member event

Online

Jun

17

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.

Member event

Online

Jun

18

Volunteer training opportunity – Group dynamics and facilitation

Group Facilitation and Dynamics-2.5 hrs and CPD accredited (For DCN Chat volunteers and Conference faciliators) Join us for this practical training in applying group dynamics theory to help us manage different kinds of groups in the mental health and social care sectors.

Member event

Online

Jun

18

Solo parents to children aged 5 and under

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

Member event

In person

Jun

20

Yorkshire - Camping trip

Invitation from the event organiser: The Yorkshire branch of the DCN are coming together for a camping w/e for 2 nights – on 20-22 June. June at Masons Campsite, Yorkshire Dales. There are many regular attenders as we’ve been coming together for our camping w/e for many years now but we really welcome new members. It’s a lovely campsite by the river with lots of space so bikes, swimming togs and wetsuits all welcome.

Member event

In person

Jun

21

Bristol - local group meetup

Come along to join this well-established group for in-person meetups scheduled across the year: 21st June, 10-3pm, Ashton Court 27th July, 10-3pm, Clifton Observatory 6th September, 10-2pm, Old Library, Muller Road BS7

Members and non-members

Online

Jun

21

Virtual Conference - London 2025 Revisited

Hear from a stellar range of speakers at our 2025 virtual conference! Our 2025 conference in April had some amazing speakers and now we are offering you the opportunity to enjoy some of the highlights from the comfort of your own home at this, our fifth virtual conference. **Our fantastic programme includes:** * Leo, a donor conceived young adult, and his identifiable donor Paul about meeting and their developing relationship * Sophie, Matt, Ollie & Duncan: Four donor conceived adults sharing their experiences and answering questions * Professor Vasanti Jadva presenting *Perspectives of parents, donors and donor conceived adolescents and adults* * Optional: small discussion groups to allow you to connect and chat with other DC families or prospective parents The event will be hosted by Nina, our Director. It will include a mix of live and recorded presentations, plus our wonderful panelists will be coming back to join live Q&A sessions to answer any questions you may have. **How much does it cost?** The online conference costs only £35 for members. If you’re not a member, we have a special ticket for you which includes 6 months’ of DCN membership and this ticket costs £70. **When and where is the conference?** The conference is on Saturday 21st June and is being held in the afternoon from 2pm to 5.30pm to make it more accessible to those outside the UK and those who have activities on a Saturday morning. It’ll take place online via Zoom but we know that life gets busy, especially in the summer months, so we’re also offering a one-month ‘watch again’ link if you can’t join us on the day. Please note that, to ensure the privacy of attendees, we’ll only be providing recordings of the main speaker sessions and not of any group discussions. **Who is it for?** It’s open to all and is appropriate whether you’re 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.

Member event

In person

Jun

22

North London - DCN Summer Picnic

You are warmly invited to a DCN/North London summer picnic, which will take place on Sunday 22nd June in Golders Hill Park, North London. Although this event is in North London it is open to everyone. We’ll be sitting under our usual tree next to the bandstand. If you come through the North End Way entrance, with the café on your right, head in a direct line towards the bandstand and you will find us. We will put balloons on the tree. We have set the event up in Bookwhen so we are asking you to REGISTER if you are interested. This means we can know rough numbers, and can also communicate easily if the weather means plans need to be updated. Bring a picnic and a rug. If you have kids, bring them along and some games to share. Members at any stage of the DC process are invited, especially those who’ve joined recently. Singles, couples, people considering treatment, pregnant or parents with children – all are welcome.

Member event

In person

Jun

22

East London - local group meetup

You are invited to the Summer 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

In person

Jun

22

West of Ireland - General

West of Ireland – Family meetup All are welcome to this casual family meetup. This is an opportunity to connect with other parents who have been on a similar journey, share experiences and have some fun! The Pet farm where we meet, caters for a variety of ages from baby to teens and for all weather conditions! Date: Sunday 22nd June 2025 Location: Turoe Pet Farm, Turoe House, Turoe, Loughrea, Galway, H62 A432 Time: 2 – 4.30pm approx

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