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Stories, insights and expertise

Join the DCN 2026 online conference on 17 October for a great programme of speakers from the comfort of your own home. We’ll be hearing personal stories, expert discussion, a DCP experience of late discovery, and more. Tickets are just £45 for members, or £75 for non-members including a conference ticket and 6 months’ DCN membership. Ticket sales close 15 October.

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‘My Donor Sibling Club’

Available now in the DCN bookshop!

 

Through simple language and fun illustrations, this book helps young children understand the connection they share with donor siblings who are growing up in different families.  Written by Sharon Leya and illustrated by Janne Maru, it encourages confidence and conversation while recognising that families can be connected in many different ways.

Buy now

Getting Started

Thinking about using a donor?

If you’re thinking about using donor conception, we know you’ll have lots of questions. This event is the perfect place to start getting answers. Speakers include a donor conceived person and parents via donor conception plus an extended session with an embryologist so you can ask medical questions.

 

In-person event: London, 21 November 2026

Find out more

Join us for support, information and community

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 more

Parent to a child at primary school?

Our Primary School Resources pack contains practical tools to help you, your child and their teacher feel prepared for conversations about donor conception at school. 

 

📖 £8 PDF or £12 printed pack

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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.

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

Find out more

Considering egg, sperm, double or embryo donation? 

Looking for information or support? Feeling alone?

If you’re thinking about using donor conception or are already having treatment, whether in the UK or abroad, we’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.  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

Oct

18

Women in same-sex couples

This is a DCN chat for women in same-sex couples, prospective and parents alike. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be co-hosted by two volunteers: Siska and Anoushka. Come and join us for a great opportunity to meet others in the group, discuss shared topics around parenthood through donor conception in a two-mum family. All are welcome, at any stage – prospective and parents alike.

Oct

19

Single women – Sperm donation – Prospective parent

This is a DCN chat for single women considering or in treatment to become solo mums. This chat is open for those using sperm donation or considering double donation and offers a space for discussion and peer support. This chat will be facilitated by Anna. Anna is a solo mum in the Network who kindly volunteers to support others. This is not a professionally led or educational event with set objectives, rather this is a space for sharing and meeting others at the same or a similar stage of the journey. Join us for a supportive space to talk to others in similar situations. If you find that you need further more professional support, please don’t hesitate to contact the DC Network office on enquiries@dcnetwork.org

Oct

20

Solo parents – 2026 babies born or expected this year

This is a DCN chat for solo mums or solo dads with babies born or expected in 2026 or 2027. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This event will be facilitated by solo mum to two and DCN volunteer, Siska. Join us for a supportive space to talk to others in similar situations. This is not a professionally led or educational event. If you find that you need further more professional support, please don’t hesitate to contact the DC Network office on enquiries@dcnetwork.org

Oct

20

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, a solo mum to a boy and girl twins conceived through double donation. All our Chat facilitators are members themselves, and hosting the chat as individuals. This is not a professionally led or educational event.

Oct

21

Solo parents to children aged 5 and under

This is a DCN chat for solo mums and dads who have children ages 5 and under. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Adrienne, solo mum to a child born 2017. 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 more professional support, please don’t hesitate to contact the DC Network office on enquiries@dcnetwork.org

Find exclusive content in our Members’ area

DCN members enjoy access to a dedicated area packed with tailored resources – videos, guides, magazines, research insights, and more – all specially selected with our members in mind.

Take a look

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

♡ Donate today 

We are a small charity and are funded by membership fees and 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

News & personal stories

Read personal stories from donor conception families and donor conceived people, our recommended books, news and more...

Articles

Why do donors withdraw consent?

Articles

Calling for help

Articles

Why 50 families is still too many

Articles

New to the DCN bookshop – 'Later Telling'

Personal stories

Noodle Granny

Articles

The case of donor 7069

Personal stories

Donna's story

Articles

New resources to help you navigate online DNA testing 

Articles

What can we learn from the world of adoption?

Personal stories

Tom and Ben's path to parenthood

Personal stories

‘I wish you knew’ by solo mum Anita

Personal stories

Sienna's story of becoming an egg donor

Articles

Our flagship London conference

Articles

Bringing donor conceived people into the conversation

News

DCN statement on File on 4 programme on Northern Cyprus – updated 18 August 2026

Articles

Known donation – is it the ideal option?

Articles

Truth, lies and donor deception

Articles

DCN statement on sperm donor with rare cancer-causing gene

Articles

Choosing the unregulated route

News

Your Story, Your Language: ‘Our Story’ is now available in Welsh!

Articles

Seed or sperm? Building confidence through language

Articles

Record keeping, incorrect data and responsibility

Articles

Telling older children

Articles

What about the men?

Articles

Processing grief

Articles

Why embryo donation is a little different

Pick of the month

How family bonds affect donor-conceived teens' identity journey

News

DCN statement about 23andMe filing for bankruptcy

Articles

Our volunteers are our frontline

Articles

What is a 'real' parent?

Articles

Telling your child: do you ever feel ready?

Articles

Going solo – the opportunities and the challenges

Pick of the month

Experiences of single motherhood using a donor (The Guardian)

Articles

No models, only examples

Recommended reads

'Relative Strangers' by Petra Nordqvist and Carol Smart

Articles

Expenses, compensation and new fees for UK donors

Pick of the month

Three tales of late motherhood (Metro)

Personal stories

A personal story of blood and belonging

Articles

The Young Adult Study: How are donor conceived people doing?

Recommended reads

‘Inheritance' by Dani Shapiro

Pick of the month

A cautionary tale of the consequences of deceit and a lack of legal protection

News

PET launches new Fertility Policy Tracker

Pick of the month

An ‘indie’ sperm donor’s perspective (heyreprotech.com)

Pick of the month

‘Ask a therapist’ guidance on sharing information with a disinterested child (US Donor Conceived Council)

News

DCN director Nina Barnsley wins lifetime achievement award

News

DCN statement on new Netflix documentary, ‘The Man with 1000 Kids’

Pick of the month

Parenting a Donor-Conceived Child – 8 Things I've Learned

Pick of the month

The challenges of buying sperm

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

Sign up now
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