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Talking about donor conception

Telling your family story

Build confidence in your family story and get guidance on the best way to ‘tell’ with our one-day workshop for mum-and-dad families.

 

Online: 5 Oct
In Person: 23 Nov

Telling and Talking
BOOKSHOP

Celebrating Pride 2024

Weโ€™ve been supporting LGBT families for 30 years, since the first lesbian mums joined us back in the nineties, and we were one of the first to write a book specifically for same-sex parent families.

To celebrate PRIDE 2024, weโ€™re offering 20% off the โ€˜Our Storyโ€™ books for two-mum and two-dad families throughout the whole of June. Use code โ€˜PRIDE20โ€™ at checkout to redeem.

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about us

We are the Donor Conception Network

Parent-led and child-focused, we have been supporting donor conception families for over 30 years.

Weโ€™re a supportive charity network providing information, support and community for those building, or thinking about building, their family through donor conception.

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help & resources

Thinking about donor conception to create or expand your family?ย 

You’ve come to the right place. We have a whole host of resources to provide the support and information you need to navigate your journey.

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workshops

‘Destination Parenthood’ – 13 July

Are you considering egg donation or sperm donation and looking for a space to explore how you’re feeling? If so, don’t miss our next Destination Parenthood workshop for heterosexual couples on 13 July.

** Early booking discount before 18 June**

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Talking about donor conception

Telling and talking ย with your child?

Parents through donor conception can sometimes feel daunted at the prospect of explaining to their child how they were conceived. We know it isn’t always easy and that’s where we can help.

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membership

Membership only ยฃ7 per month –ย join us!ย 

We have a huge range of resources and services that we provide through a membership subscription.

We keep our fees low to ensure we’re accessible to all donor conception families and whatever your circumstances we look forward to welcoming you into our community!

Find out about membership

Considering egg, sperm, double or embryo donation?

Looking for information or support? Feeling alone?

If youโ€™re thinking about using donor conception or are already having treatment, whether in the UK or abroad, weโ€™re here to offer support, information and a community of families in a similar situation. We can help you think through your questions and concerns; just click on the section below that fits your family type to get details aimed more specifically at you and your family.

Already a parent?

Looking for help with telling your child about their conception?

We know it can be daunting to tell your child that they are donor conceived. We believe that openness is best for the child and for the whole family and have 30 years’ experience helping families to think through how and when to share their family’s story. We have books, workshops and online chats to help you navigate these conversations. We also have specific guidance for people with older children who haven’t been told yet, as well as opportunities for children to meet others made ‘just like them’. Choose your family type from the options below to find out more.

Featured events

Featured

Our Story

One of our bestsellers, ‘Our Story’ is a range of books aimed at young children aged 3-6.ย  They provide a simple introduction to donor conception in age-appropriate language. We have nearly 40 different versions covering a wide range of families. We even have books for donors to help them explain to their own children.

View all books
Featured

Our Story

One of our bestsellers, ‘Our Story’ is a range of books aimed at young children aged 3-6.ย  They provide a simple introduction to donor conception in age-appropriate language. We have nearly 40 different versions covering a wide range of families. We even have books for donors to help them explain to their own children.

View all books

Upcoming events

Sep

21

DCN Autumn Conference – Edinburgh

Join us for our conference in Edinburgh! The event is a wonderful opportunity to connect with others in Scotland and the north, and to hear from knowledgeable and inspiring speakers including parents and DC adults. We’ll also have our popular Meet & Connect session over lunch, so you can talk to others about the things that are important to you. In the afternoon we will running some workshop-style discussions about connections within the wider donor conception family and what this means to us and our families. ๐—ช๐—ต๐—ผ ๐˜€๐—ต๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—น๐—ฑ ๐—ฎ๐˜๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ถ๐˜€ ๐—ฒ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜? * People considering donor conception: If you havenโ€™t had children yet, this is a great opportunity to hear from people who have been down this road already, as well as meet others at a similar stage. * Parents of donor conceived children: If youโ€™ve had children this is a chance to meet other parents, to share experiences and get support. * Professionals in the field: Please do join us for an informative and thought-provoking event. You can find the full programme on our website here: https://www.dcnetwork.org/app/uploads/2024/08/Edinburgh-Conference-2024-Programme-1.pdf ๐—” ๐——๐—–๐—ก ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€’ ๐—ฒ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜ This is an event for DCN members but it’s really easy to join us and only costs ยฃ7 per month (and less if you are on a lower income). Simply book your place on the event and we will send you a link to our joining form; there’s no fixed contract term for membership and you can cancel at any time, we just ask that you stay a member until the event takes place. There are loads of benefits to DCN membership (find out more here https://dcnetwork.org/membership-benefits) and we can’t wait to welcome you into our community! ๐—–๐—ต๐—ถ๐—น๐—ฑ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ป Weโ€™re unable to accommodate children in the conference hall, aside from babes-in-arms (0-6m). We initially offered a creche for children up to the age of 9 years but due to lack of demand, we have had to cancel this. As a small charity, we are unable to run childcare that is completely subsidised by us, so this difficult decision has been taken. Unfortunately, we are unable to include children over the age of 6 months at the event now. ๐— ๐—ฒ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ฎ ๐—ฎ๐˜ ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ณ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐˜€: 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. Furthermore, everything discussed within our events is confidential and may not be reported or shared outside of the event. We may therefore have to refund tickets from those who do not meet these criteria. If you would like to discuss this with us before booking, please do give us a call on +44(0)20 7278 2608.

Sep

23

Miscarriage following donor conception

We have set up this DCN chat specifically for members who have experienced miscarriage following donor conception. 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.

Sep

25

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

Sep

26

Heterosexual couples – 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. 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

Sep

29

Dorset – Family meetup

Come and join members in Dorset for a meetup in Moreton Walled Garden and a chance to get to know other members locally. Many thanks to Lisa, who is organising this event!

About the Donor Conception Network

They say it takes a village to raise children. Well, sometimes it takes a village to help you even contemplate that journey.

We’re a supportive charity network of over 2,200, mainly UK-based, families with children conceived with donated sperm, eggs or embryos, those thinking about or undergoing donor conception procedures and donor conceived people. We provide support, information and a community of families in a similar situation.

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โ™ก Donate today

We are a small charity and are funded by membership fees and by donations. If you would like to support us, your donation would be greatly appreciated and will help us support the next generation of donor conception families.

Donate now

Sign up to our mailing list

If you’re interested in donor conception issues, whether personally or professionally, do sign up to our mailing list.

If you are a donor conceived adult this is also the way to connect with us and access the support we offer you.

Sign up now