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Upcoming events
May
May
7
Chat for men only - those considering or who are dads through sperm donation
Chat
Heterosexual couple
Member event
Online
Parent
Prospective parent
Same sex male couple
Single man
This DCN chat is for men only – in heterosexual couples, consideirng, undergoing treatment or dads through sperm donation.
This Chat will be facilitated by Chris, dad to two children, conceived with sperm donation.
DCN Chats offer a space for members to come together to talk about shared issues. This is a peer support online get-together.
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 friendly non-judgemental 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
May
9
Making It Real
Members and non-members
Online
Professional
Workshop
Workshop for professionals working with donor conception families and prospective parents.
Do you work with donor conception families or with patients using donor eggs, sperm or embryos? Our ‘Making it Real’ workshop is specially designed for you, to enhance your knowledge and understanding of this route to parenthood and help you offer families the support they need.
This is an interactive and experiential workshop and we always get fantastic feedback.
“𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘡𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰!”
“𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘱𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.”
This workshop will deepen your own understanding of the ways in which creating a child using eggs, sperm or embryos from a third party, including with surrogacy, is different from standard fertility treatments. We look at how to help prospective parents consider the lifetime implications of this route for the child and the family. We also look at how to support families as children grow up and circumstances (and interest levels) change.
𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀
* Friday 9 May 2025
* 9:15am – 4:45pm
* Zoom – Online
* £130 or early bird price £100 if booked before 1 March
* [Programme](https://dcnetwork.org/app/uploads/2025/04/Making-It-Real-April-2025-Programme-overview.pdf)
𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱:
1. Hear the experiences of parents and donor conceived adults – how do these families fare in the long term?
2. Consider the place of the donor, the donor’s family and any genetic siblings or half-siblings in donor conception families (especially important post-2023).
3. Learn how DNA testing is revolutionising the making of genetic connections and the implications for families.
4. Listen to DC Network’s long view of life for donor conception families
5. Feel better supported in your role in the fast changing world of donor conception.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱:
* The support needed by donor conception families before, during and after treatment, especially as choices are being made about clinics and countries.
* The popularity of genetic testing companies and the impact of the removal of anonymity in the UK – what’s changed now that the donor register has opened?
* The services and resources offered by DC Network – and how these complement and build on information provided and counselling undertaken in clinics and elsewhere
* The social and emotional issues of using donated gametes
* The implications of the use of DNA and genetic testing websites
* The experiences of patients and clients in greater depth.
𝗔𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱?
Please note that the content of this workshop will be very similar to those run in previous years. If you attended before, you are welcome to attend the day again or you may like to take this opportunity to recommend it to colleagues so they can experience it for themselves.
Attendance at this workshop will inform your policy and practice in helping you support your clients and patients in making decisions that are right for their future. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on 020 7278 2608 or at enquiries@dcnetwork.org.
May
10
Workshop: Telling & Talking (solo mum and two-mum families)
Members and non-members
Online
Parent
Same sex female couple
Single woman
TT
Workshop
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.
As a single or lesbian woman, we recognise that your experiences are different from the time your pregnancy becomes public knowledge, and that attending our workshop even before your baby is born might be helpful for you. All of our single women and lesbian couples’ workshops have a small number of places for pregnant women.
May
10
Bristol - local group meetup
Heterosexual couple
In person
Local meetup
Member event
Parent
Prospective parent
Same sex female couple
Same sex male couple
Single man
Single woman
Come along to join this well-established group for in-person meetups scheduled across the year:
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
May
11
Dorset - Family meetup
Heterosexual couple
In person
Local meetup
Member event
Parent
Prospective parent
Same sex female couple
Same sex male couple
Single man
Single woman
Come and join members in Dorset for a meetup at Kingston Maurward and a chance to get to know other members locally.
Meetup at midday.
Explore
Sign up here to let us know to expect you.
May
11
Berkshire- Solo mums - Windsor way group
In person
Local meetup
Member event
Parent
Single woman
Thinker / Tryer
Windsor solo mum group are inviting solo mums (and mums-to-be) from across the county, to join their next events.
The group have scheduled meetups on the 2nd Sunday of every other month, so put the following dates in your diary if you wish to join:
Sunday 11 May 12 noon South Hill Park Bracknell
Sunday 13 July 12 noon onwards Lammas Park Staines-upon-Thames
Sunday 14 September 12 noon South Hill Park Bracknell
Sunday 16 November TBC (indoors)
May
11
South East London meetup
Heterosexual couple
In person
Local meetup
Member event
Parent
Prospective parent
Same sex female couple
Same sex male couple
Single man
Single woman
The SE London group are getting together for a summer meetup thanks to volunteer, Cathy.
Join us for a picnic in Peckham Rye park on Sun 11th May, 2.30-4.30, Peckham Rye park
All are welcome, prospective and parents in all family types, and children of course. You don’t have to be from SE London to join, if you want to come along you are welcome!!!
May
14
Mixed families
Chat
Heterosexual couple
Member event
Online
Parent
Prospective parent
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
May
17
Workshop: Telling & Talking (mum-and-dad families)
Heterosexual couple
Members and non-members
Online
Parent
TT
Workshop
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.
May
18
Scotland: Meetup in Edinburgh
Heterosexual couple
In person
Local meetup
Member event
Same sex female couple
Same sex male couple
Single man
Single woman
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!