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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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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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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 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

Bookshop

Our specialist bookshop contains a whole range of titles for children and adults. Plus our best-selling ‘Our Story’ book comes in 42 versions to help you tell your family story with confidence.

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‘Getting Started’ – thinking about using a donor?

Getting Started is a brand new event for 2024 for anyone thinking about using a donor to build their family. Weโ€™ll have a medical expert, a donor conceived person and THREE parents via donor conception giving all the info you need to help you make your decision.

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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’.

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

Upcoming events

Mar

19

Connect & Reflect – Volunteer session

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…

Mar

19

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.

Mar

23

Workshop: Destination Parenthood (single women)

Donor conception, difference and decision making – an ONLINE workshop for single women who are thinking about donor sperm, double or embryo donation.

This Online DCN workshop is for you if you are:
โ€ข A single woman who is thinking about whether donor conception is the right way forward for you to create or expand your family
โ€ข Contemplating sperm, double or embryo donation with or without surrogacy
โ€ข Unsure about donor conception and would like to know more about it
โ€ข Wondering if you need time out to evaluate where you have got to on your fertility journey and what your options may be for the future
โ€ข Thinking about having fertility treatment in the UK or abroad, or currently having treatment in the UK or abroad
โ€ข Using, or contemplating using an anonymous, known or identifiable donor

** Please note that there is a 1 hour session on the Friday night 7.30-8.30pm for introductions and Zoom familiarisation and a 1 hour session on Saturday night 7.30-8.30pm to meet a donor conceived young person and ask them questions.**

Why you should attend?
โ€ข A comfortable and confidential space to think about what it means to you to create or add to your family using a donor
โ€ข Run by three facilitators who are also parents of donor conceived children
โ€ข A donor-conceived young person will also attend to chat with you about their experiences.
โ€ข Talking with others in small and large groups throughout the day
โ€ข Access to on-going peer support group with your fellow delegates
โ€ข Comprehensive sets of handouts about all aspects of donor conception will be sent to you before and after the workshop

This workshop is for those who have not yet conceived through donor conception (though you may have children already who are not donor-conceived)

Please note medical aspects of donor conception are not covered in this workshop.

Mar

24

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.

For details about this event, please contact Jenny and Kate – in the first instance you can text Jenny on 07730565449 or email the coordinators on dcn.solomumsNW@hotmail.com

Next date: Sun 24th March, Walton hall gardens, Warrington

Mar

25

Anonymous donation – for those who don’t have ID release or known donors

This DCN Chat is aimed at discussing anonymous donation and how that is experienced for us as donation recipients. The chat will be facilitated by Valentina, DCN member, and mum through egg donation to two children through anonymous donation. This DCN Chat is to offer a space to talk about experiences, This is not an educational event and rather, is meant as a peer-support opportunity.

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.

Find out more

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