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Real stories of donor conception

New series of in-depth video interviews 

 

Hear from parents and donor conceived people as they share their experiences, feelings and perspectives in our April Trust films. Exclusively for DCN members. 

Watch now

Shared donor, shared family?

How do DC people understand their connection to others conceived through the same donor? Join us on Wed 2nd December 2026 to hear Dr Astrid Indekeu talk through what her research says about half-sibling connections.

FREE | MEMBERS-ONLY

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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 embryologist so you can ask medical questions.

 

Nov 2026 now sold out – bookings open for Mar 2027. 

Find out more

Online Conference 

Recording now available

We had a wonderful day at the DCN online conference on Saturday. If you bought a ticket, you can watch the conference again online for the next two weeks. You’ll need to be logged in and to have the password, which we emailed out to all attendees. Do get in touch if you need any help.

 

MEMBER-ONLY EVENT

Ticket holder? Watch now

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
Resources

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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about us

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 over 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

Nov

15

**New date**: Surrey/SW London Walk & Talk – General

You are invited to join a Walk & Talk meetup, for members in South West London/ Surrey. Jane (who recently spoke at our online conference) and her adult daughter will be hosting a walk, chat, coffee. You are invited to meet for the walk at 11.30 in Warren Farm, which leads into Nonsuch Park and then Cheam Park – about 2 miles. There is a nice playground in Cheam Park, and next to it table tennis, tennis, adult outdoor gym and cafe – so that people can join the walk from the start (around 2 miles) or meet at a later point at the cafe/playground etc if prefer… The cafe has quite a wide range of food, so people could get a basic lunch there if they want. See link for menu. Welcome If the weather is bad, then the group can meet at the cafe.

Nov

15

South coast / Solent Solos- Solo parents group

This group is for solo parents in the South coast area of the UK (including Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex). To sign up and to find out more information please contact Victoria, group coordinator, by emailing dcn.southcoast@gmail.com [Do not make the booking here]

Nov

15

Thames Valley- Solo mums’ group

The next meetup for solo mums in the Thames Valley area, has been scheduled for: Sunday November 15th 2026 1-4pm at Lewknor Village Hall. Please join the WhatsApp group for updates by using this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HYUNXPzzu8gCXZFTGUZJM3

Nov

16

Deciding between treatment in the UK and abroad

This DCN Chat is aimed at prospective parents (solo or couple) who are navigating the decision between UK clinics and clinics outside the UK. The space is being offered as an opportunity to talk with each other about the options you are considering, share experiences and gain support from people in similar situations. The chat will be facilitated by Gemma, mum to one child through embryo donation. Gemma has explored options across both contexts, and is there to facilitate the conversation. She will not be able to provide advice, including legal advice on the differences between the contexts.

Nov

17

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.

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

Love, hope and legal implications: navigating decisions about unused frozen embryos

News

Real stories of donor conception

Personal stories

Susie's story of older motherhood

Articles

Friend or stranger?

Articles

Why do donors withdraw consent?

Articles

Calling for help

Articles

Why 50 families is still too many

News

New to the DCN bookshop – 'Later Telling'

Personal stories

Noodle Granny

Articles

The case of donor 7069

Personal stories

Donna’s story

News

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

News

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

Recommended reads

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

Recommended reads

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

Recommended reads

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

Recommended reads

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

News

PET launches new Fertility Policy Tracker

Recommended reads

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

Recommended reads

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

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
Donor Conception Network
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