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DCN Spring Conference 2025

We’re really excited to announce that tickets are on sale for our annual DCN members’ conference in North London on Sunday 27 April 2025. ...

27 Apr 09:30-17:00

This event is for DCN members only. Please login or join now.

We’re really excited to announce that tickets are on sale for our annual DCN members’ conference in North London on Sunday 27 April 2025.

The event is a wonderful opportunity to connect with others and to hear from knowledgeable and inspiring speakers.

__Programme for the day__
We have a full day planned and it’s been exciting putting the programme together. You’ll hear from parents and donor conceived adults speaking about their feelings and experiences. We have invited Debbie Kennett to talk about home DNA testing. Debbie is an expert and author on genetic genealogy. She’ll explain about what home DNA testing is, how people are using it and the impact and implications for donor conception families.

We’re excited to have Dr Vasanti Jadva from University of London presenting her research, aiming to shed light on the complexity of searching for donor connections and the different feelings that people can have towards those they are connected to.

Aside from the main presentations, you’ll have the option to join a small group to focus discussion on specific topics (more details about that session will come in a few weeks). The breaks and final hour will provide some relaxed time for conversations and connections with other members, making the day social as well as informative and supportive.

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁?
* Parents of donor conceived children: If you’ve had children this is a chance to meet other parents, to share experiences and get support. This is a family event so we provide childcare and activities for children up to 12 to make it possible for you all to attend the day.
* DC teens and adults: this is an opportunity for children 13-17 and DC adults 18+ to join us for the day and meet with others.
* Professionals in the field: Please do join us for an informative and thought-provoking event.

𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗲𝘁?
If you haven’t had children yet, you’re welcome to join us at this conference but do be aware that the content is aimed mostly at parents. Also, we’d like you to be aware that there will be babies and children present. If you do decide to book, we’ll make sure we connect you with any other prospective parents who are there on the day, but you might find our [Getting Started](https://www.dcnetwork.org/events/getting-started/) event on 29 March more suitable and valuable.

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼
You can find more details about the conference in the following documents:
* [Information summary](https://www.dcnetwork.org/app/uploads/2025/01/General-Information-London-conference-2025.pdf)
* [Childcare and activities for children](https://www.dcnetwork.org/app/uploads/2025/01/Babies-Children-Teens-London-conference-2025.pdf)
* Programme for the day: we’re still finalising the exact timings but will load a programme soon
* Childcare and children’s activity places are LIMITED so book soon
* Booking deadline is 22 April
* Cancellations befor 11 April will be refunded in full but we aren’t able to refund after that date

𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗗𝗖𝗡 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿?
This event is for DCN members and is one of the many benefits of membership. You can join us for just £7 per month (less if you are a lower income household) and as a member, in addition to being able to book tickets for the conference, you’ll also get access to online chats, WhatsApp groups, exclusive events, and much more. [Join here](https://www.dcnetwork.org/civicrm/contribute/transact/?reset=1&id=7).

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.

Please use this form to book tickets for everyone attending.

Please book any babies 0-6 months as babe-in-arms (free) so we know how many to expect. Because of the possible disturbance to others, we ask that you book all mobile babies (6 months+) in to the creche.

If you have children attending an activity (“What Makes Me, Me” or the children’s group) that ticket covers the whole day at the conference including childcare when they are not in session.

𝗜𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗲, 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝗮 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.

If you are a low income household, discounted tickets are listed at the bottom.

Do provide additional information in the comment boxes, if necessary, including accessibility needs. The venue should be able to accommodate everyone who wants to attend. However, creche places are limited so do book as soon as you can if you plan to bring children.

If you are a parent of older/adult children please do encourage them to come!

Lunch and refreshments are included. Please note on the form if you have dietary requirements. We can cater for vegetarian/vegan/gluten free and dairy free. If you have other requirements, please check with Jo on events@dcnetwork.org to see if we can accommodate you.

Parents and children will have lunch together in the refectory or outside if the weather is nice.

This event is for DCN members only. Please login or join now.

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