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Activities for children

At our London conference

Our conferences are very much a family affair. Where possible we offer childcare and children’s activities so that parents can bring their children and include them in the event. We know that this can really help stimulate and support conversations the family are having at home. Meeting other children made ’just like them’, as well as the potential for subsequent connections, can make a big difference to how children feel about being donor conceived.

We run a range of activities for children at our annual London conference including:

  • A creche for children aged 6 months to 12 years

  • The ‘What Makes Me, Me?’ creative session for 8-12 year olds

  • The Children’s group run by Dr Sharon Pettle for 9-13 year olds

  • Our teen group for 13-17 year olds

Our creche What Makes Me, Me? Children’s group Teen group Age ranges

Creche at our conferences

We know that it can be difficult for parents to get childcare so that they can attend our conferences. We also know that children love to get together with other donor conceived children. So we offer a creche at our annual spring conference in London and where possible at our regional autumn conferences too. We do charge a fee for the creche but we subsidise it heavily to make it as affordable as possible for our members.

What Makes Me, Me?

What Makes Me, Me? is a 1.5hr creative session for donor conceived children aged 8-12 run by Natalie Tayte, a qualified Art Therapist. The session starts with fun “getting to know you” activities and warm up games. Then the children think about their family, hobbies, interests, pets, talents, friends and any important elements in their lives and express that through an art project. There are variations in the task to stimulate their interest and creativity.

The role and/or place of the donor can be included as they wish but there is no pressure to do so. However, be aware that the donor will be included in the general guidance around completion of the task and may come up in conversations.

This is a relaxed, fun session encouraging the children to interpret the idea their own way. They don’t have to be ‘arty’ or creative and lots of resources and support will be available. The group size will be limited and it’s a good way for donor conceived children to meet others made ‘just like them’. The groups have between 6 and 12 children and where possible we will offer 2 groups to separate children by age.

Please note that this session is only for donor conceived children. All of the other sessions are open to non-donor conceived siblings but What Makes Me, Me is exclusively for those who are donor conceived.

 

Natalie Tayte

Natalie is an experienced Art Therapist who works with young people and adults with a variety of issues and needs. After working for many years in the NHS, she is now an independent practitioner and co-director of her own therapy centre. Natalie has been a member of the DCN for several years and is mum to a daughter conceived via egg donation.

 

How to book

Members will be emailed details of the conference when booking is open, including a link to book places for What Makes Me, Me.

After registering interest for this children’s activity on the Bookwhen form, you will be sent a questionnaire to complete which gives us some background information about your child so we can prepare the groups. There will be an opportunity for parents to ask the group leader questions before the conference. There will be a feedback form to complete at the end of the day as well as a follow up survey.

Children’s group

The children’s groups are half day workshops for donor conceived children and their siblings that we run at our London conferences. The group is led by Dr Sharon Pettle, Child & Family Clinical Psychologist and is suitable for children aged 9-13 years (UK school years 5-8).

It is an opportunity for DC children to meet others made ‘just like them’, make connections, explore what family means to them, touching on the topic of donor conception and how they feel about being donor conceived. It’s designed to be fun and age-appropriate and offers a safe, supportive space for children to talk and share.

As part of the signup process you will book a Zoom meeting with Sharon and this conversation is a great opportunity for you to talk to a professional family therapist who has long experience working with donor conception families. This phone call allows you to ask questions about the groups, talk about any concerns you have, give Sharon more detailed information and back ground about your child so she can really get to know them. We know from feedback that these conversations are often enormously valuable to parents. They are also essential for us to ensure Sharon and her team are aware of anything going on in the family, or for the child before meeting them on the day. Sometimes, after this conversation parents decide that the child won’t attend the group as they aren’t quite ready.

The groups are unique and extremely popular. Feedback is extremely positive and children often attend the group more than once.

Teen group – 13-17 years

We are piloting a teen group at the conference. This will be open to children aged 13-17 (roughly school years 8-11) and will run for the full day, including watching the morning main panel discussion.

The group is led by Astid Indekeu. Astrid is a clinical psychologist and a long-standing friend of DC Network, with lots of experience working with donor conception families. Astrid is warm and approachable and has a wealth of understanding about donor conception.

The teen group is an opportunity for teenagers to:
• Meet others

• Participate in a variety of fun activities

• Raise topics in a safe and supported space

• Meet donor conceived adults who will join a session and be available to answer questions

It’s a friendly, structured day with the focus on meeting up, discussion and exploration.

 

Astrid Indekeu

Astrid is an experienced Clinical Psychologist who has worked with children, adults and families in a variety of settings; since 2009 her focus has been specifically on supporting families after donor conception, their network and the professionals involved.

 

How to book

Members will be emailed details of the conference when booking is open, including a link to book places for the Teen Group.

After registering interest for this activity on the Bookwhen form, you will be sent a questionnaire to complete which gives us some background information about your child so we can know a bit more about them. You will have a short call with one of the group leaders and about a week before the conference we’ll organise a group call with the other parents (and children if they wish) to meet the team and ask final questions. There will be a feedback form at the end of the day and post-event survey to complete.

Age ranges

The ages ranges given are guidelines, so do get in touch if you’re unsure.

  • The What Makes Me, Me session has some flexibility in terms of age range.

  • For the Children’s Group, the year 5 minimum is fixed, as before year 5 children are generally too young to really benefit. It is not unusual for children to not attend until they reach the upper age range and many children attend more than once.

  • If children are in year 8 and have done the Children’s Group in the past, they may be ready and keen to join the teen group.

Where now?

Next – Telling & Talking workshops Back – DCN Conferences