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Upcoming events
September
Sep
21
DCN Autumn Conference - Edinburgh
Conference
Heterosexual couple
In person
Member event
Parent
Same sex female couple
Same sex male couple
Single man
Single woman
Thinker / Tryer
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.
𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁?
* People considering donor conception: If you haven’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 you’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
𝗔 𝗗𝗖𝗡 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀’ 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁
This is an event for DCN members but it’s really easy to join us and only costs £7 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!
𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻
We’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.
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. 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
Chat
Heterosexual couple
Member event
Online
Parent
Prospective parent
Same sex female couple
Same sex male couple
Single man
Single woman
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
Chat
Heterosexual couple
Member event
Online
Parent
Same sex female couple
Same sex male couple
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
Chat
Heterosexual couple
Member event
Online
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
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 in Moreton Walled Garden and a chance to get to know other members locally.
Many thanks to Lisa, who is organising this event!
Sep
29
North London - Family meetup
Heterosexual couple
In person
Local meetup
Member event
Parent
Same sex female couple
Same sex male couple
Single man
Single woman
Come and join North London members for a meetup in Finsbury park on Sunday 29th.
Meet at the cafe in the park – Sarah who is coordinating this meetup, will be there for 2.30 for the first half an hour; after this, she is likely to be around the park.
October
Oct
1
Heterosexual couples - Sperm donation - prospective and new parents
Chat
Heterosexual couple
Member event
Online
Parent
Prospective parent
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
Oct
5
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 (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).
They are 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.
Oct
10
Men Only Get-Together
Heterosexual couple
In person
Local meetup
Member event
Parent
Prospective parent
Same sex male couple
Single man
Calling all men in the Network…
Come and join our get-together for *men only* – an opportunity to meet others in the Network and discuss issues which are of particular relevance to you relating to donor conception and becoming a family through this route.
This is a space for men to have a chance to talk and share and one of our lovely volunteers, Chris, will be hosting the event and waiting to welcome you!
Oct
15
Connect & Reflect - Volunteer session
Chat
Member event
Online
This session is offered as a space to connect and reflect on the challenges and solutions which may arise in your DCN volunteer role.
Some of the things we may talk about are: basic listening skills, managing a group and our own triggers. We are also inviting you to submit general questions of your own. This will be an opportunity for us to ‘put our heads together’ to work out some great strategies for our roles and beyond…