Heterosexual couple

In person

Members and non-members

Parent

TT

Workshop

Workshop: Telling & Talking (IN PERSON, mum-and-dad families)

This workshop is for parents of donor-conceived children aged 0-7 years. This workshop is equally appropriate whether you had treatment in the UK or abroad, ...

22 Nov 09:30-16:30

Book now

This workshop is for parents of donor-conceived children aged 0-7 years.

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.

The workshop will be delivered in Central London (Angel). You will receive full details a month before the workshop. Lunch & refreshments are included in the cost of the workshop.

Unfortunately, we are unable to have babies or children around during these workshops. You will need to ensure you have alternative child-care arranged for your child(ren) for the duration of the course, as it is a full and intensive programme. Please contact Jo at events@dcnetwork.org if you wish to discuss this further.

Please note this is a 1 day in person workshop (Saturday)

Book now

More upcoming events

Member event

Online

Mar

26

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

Online

Mar

27

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

Members and non-members

In person

Mar

29

Getting Started

Event for prospective parents thinking about using egg, sperm or embryo donation. If you’re thinking about using donor conception, you probably have lots of questions. This event is the perfect place to start getting answers. Join us and hear from: * __An embryologist__ from a UK clinic giving a really informative overview of the medical side of things. We always get fantastic feedback about this session, which provides an essential foundation with lots of time for questions. * __Donor conceived people__ talking about their experiences. How do the children feel? We know this is something lots of prospective parents wonder about. This event provides a rare opportunity to hear from them in person and ask questions. Not to be missed! * __Parents__ talking through their decision-making and describing family life once children arrive. Nothing beats hearing from people with real life experience. 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿? This event is suitable for everyone at the start of their donor conception journey, for same-sex and heterosexual couples and for those planning to become single parents. It’s a friendly, inclusive chance to meet others at a similar stage in a relaxed environment at this in-person event. 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹: The full day costs just £75 per person or £130 per couple when booked before 8 March (£90 and £160 after that date) and the 11am start time makes it easy to get to Waterloo and home in a day. This event is a Donor Conception Network event so you can rest assured that all information will be impartial and based on our experience as a charity working with donor conception families for the past 30+ years. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲? You can find the full programme with timings below. 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸 The ticket price includes tea, coffee and cake but not lunch; this helps us keep costs down and means you can choose and order whatever you’d like separately. You can find the pub’s menu here: https://www.thehercules.co.uk/food/menus. You are also free to have lunch elsewhere (or bring your own) of course but we hope you’ll stay with us during the break as it will be a great opportunity to chat with other attendees and our DCN team.

Member event

Online

Mar

31

‘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

In person

Apr

5

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

Member event

In person

Apr

6

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

Member event

Online

Apr

8

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].

Member event

In person

Apr

12

West London meetup

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!

Member event

Online

Apr

15

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

Member event

Online

Apr

15

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

Apr

16

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

Apr

23

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.

Member event

Online

Apr

24

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

In person

Apr

27

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. 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](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 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.

Member event

Online

Apr

29

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

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.

Join us