โReflectionsโ - 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.
Bristol - local group meetup
Come along to join this well-established group for in-person meetups scheduled across the year:
5th April, 10-2pm Old Library, Muller Road BS7
10th May, 10-3pm, Blaise Castle
21st June, 10-3pm, Ashton Court
27th July, 10-3pm, Clifton Observatory
6th September, 10-2pm, Old Library, Muller Road BS7
North west solo mums' group meetup
The North West solo mums’ group welcomes all solo mums or mums to be. A long running group led by Jenny and Kate who welcome you to join their in person meetups for support and community.
Next meetups:
6th April- knutsford Cheshire
6th July- Wigan
12th October- liverpool
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.
To help us work out what the group would like to see in terms of the DCN Chats, please use this (external) link to complete a survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIyaCEOtiazxdIweueVK9k0tB6zSY7-VmYgSSr4vYbqR8vLQ/viewform [note that the responses on this link will be shared with Emily].
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
Come along to join the next meetup for members in West London, for a cosy afternoon meeting each other at The Eagle pub, located near 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!
Heterosexual couples - Sperm donation - prospective parents
Come and join us for a private space to discuss sperm donation in heterosexual couples with others going down a similar path.
DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Danny, dad to two children, concieved through sperm 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 dont 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 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.
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
Couples - Double or embryo donation - Parents' chat
This is a DCN chat for heterosexual or same-sex couples who are parents, who conceived through double or embryo donation.
DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This chat will be facilitated by Erica, mum to one son, 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.
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
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.
The event is a wonderful opportunity to connect with others and to hear from knowledgeable and inspiring speakers.
__Programme for the day__
[Conference programme](https://dcnetwork.org/app/uploads/2025/03/Programme-to-share-ahead-of-the-day.pdf)
We have a full day planned, as you’ll see from the programme attached (and linked above). You’ll hear from parents and donor conceived adults sharing their experiences. A sperm donor and a young man from a solo mum family will be speaking about meeting and their developing relationship. 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 very pleased to have Dr Vasanti Jadva from University of London presenting a selection of 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. Alternatively, instead of the research session, you’ll have the option to join a small group to focus discussion on specific topics (more details about the groups will come very soon).
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.
๐ช๐ต๐ผ ๐๐ต๐ผ๐๐น๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐?
* Parents of donor conceived children: If youโve 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.
๐ก๐ผ๐ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐?
If you haven’t had children yet, youโre 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.
๐ ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ
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](https://dcnetwork.org/app/uploads/2025/03/Programme-to-share-ahead-of-the-day.pdf)
* 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
๐ก๐ผ๐ ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ก ๐บ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ?
This event is for DCN members and is one of the many benefits of membership. You can join us for just ยฃ7 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).
๐ ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐: 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 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
Couples (including separated couples) with children ages 4-7
You are invited to join us for a conversation for members who are parents to children aged 4-7 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
