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Men Only Get-Together for infertile men and dads through sperm donation

Join an in-person meetup for men only, and specifically for those considering, in treatment or dad’s through sperm donation. We are running this event ...

11 Sep 19:30-21:30

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

Join an in-person meetup for men only, and specifically for those considering, in treatment or dad’s through sperm donation. We are running this event in connection with the organisation NEXiS, and will be posting more information shortly about it.

We have a private room on the first floor of the pub, booked [booked under Chris’ name / small room on first floor]. Grab a drink and join us!

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

More upcoming events

Member event

Online

May

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

Members and non-members

Online

May

17

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.

Member event

In person

May

18

Scotland: Meetup in Edinburgh

We are delighted to invite our Scottish members to a family meetup in The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 18th May 11:30-1:00pm – Edinburgh botanic gardens. Meet at the cafe at the top of the hill. Sarah, local meetup coordinator, will look forward to welcoming you to this event. Members in all situations are very welcome. Whether you have children already or still considering, do come along to meet others in the Network!

Member event

Online

May

19

Miscarriage and other challenges during treatment in the donor conception journey

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.

Member event

Online

May

19

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

May

20

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

May

21

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

Member event

Online

May

21

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

Member event

Online

May

21

Ethnicity in donor conception

This DCN chat is an opportunity to come together to talk about the issue of ethnicity in donor conception. This may be relevant if you are undertaking treatment with a donor of a different ethnicity, where ethnicity shows up in your donor decision-making process or where your child’s external appearance differs significantly to you (or you and your partner). This DCN Chat is open to all, but please note that the intention of this discussion is to hold a space for people who are experiencing challenges and successes within this realm and to offer the opportunity to share these in a peer-support forum. There is no right or wrong and we would ask that anyone who joins does so with the intention of being extremely respectful with this somewhat sensitive issue. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Mariam. 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 dcngroups@dcnetwork.org

Member event

Online

May

22

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

Member event

Online

May

28

‘Reflections’ - Parents of DC Adults

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.

Member event

Online

May

28

Anonymous donation - for those who don't have ID release or known donors

This DCN Chat is aimed at discussing anonymous donation and how that is experienced for us as donation recipients. 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 chat’s 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.

Member event

Online

May

28

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 Mary-Blair, mum through egg donation to two children. 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

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

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.

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