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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

May

4

DCN Spring Conference

Annual London conference for DCN members. Join us for our annual DCN member conference in North London on 4 May 2024. The event is a wonderful opportunity to connect with others and to hear from knowledgeable and inspiring speakers. 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˜? * Parents of donor conceived children: If youโ€™ve had children this is a chance to meet other parents, to share experiences and get support. This is a family event so we provide childcare and activities for children up to 12 to make it possible for you all to attend the day. * DC teens: children aged 13-17 can join the teen group. * DC people 18+: DC adults are welcome to join us and meet with others in the community. * Professionals in the field: Please do join us for an informative and thought-provoking event. ๐—ก๐—ผ๐˜ ๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ฑ ๐—ฐ๐—ต๐—ถ๐—น๐—ฑ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ป ๐˜†๐—ฒ๐˜? Youโ€™re welcome to join us at this conference but do be aware that the content is aimed mostly at those who already have donor conceived children. We’ll make sure we connect you with other prospective parents on the day. ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ณ๐—ผ You can find more details about the conference in the following documents: * Programme for the day: https://www.dcnetwork.org/app/uploads/2024/03/Programme-to-save-and-share-ahead-of-the-day.pdf * Childcare and activities for children: https://www.dcnetwork.org/app/uploads/2024/03/Babies-Children-Teens.pdf * Information summary: https://www.dcnetwork.org/app/uploads/2024/03/General-Information.pdf ๐—ก๐—ผ๐˜ ๐—ฎ ๐——๐—–๐—ก ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ? This event is for DCN members and is one of the many benefits of membership. You can join us for just ยฃ7 per month (less if you are a lower income household) and as a member you’ll also get access to online chats, WhatsApp groups, exclusive events, and much more. Visit https://www.dcnetwork.org/civicrm/contribute/transact/?reset=1&id=7 to join today. If you buy a ticket and are not a member, don’t worry – we’ll send you details of how to join. 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.

May

6

Couples – Double or embryo donation – Prospective parents

This is a DCN chat for heterosexual or same-sex couples who are prospective parents considering or undertaking treatment through double or embryo donation. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This chat will be facilitated by Erica, mum to one child 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.

May

7

Single women – Double or embryo donation – Prospective parent

This is a DCN chat for single women considering or in treatment to become solo mums, considering or using double or embryo donation. This chat offers a space for discussion and peer support. This chat will be facilitated by Kerry, solo mum through double donation. All our facilitators are solo mums in the Network. 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

May

8

Mixed families

You are invited to join us for a conversation for members who are either intending or have ‘mixed’ families – our term for those with a naturally conceived child (or adopted) and a donor conceived child, to talk about shared issues. DCN Chat is a peer support online get-together. This DCN Chat will be hosted by Laura, mum to two – the oldest naturally conceived and the youngest conceive through egg 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 don’t hesitate to contact the DC Network office on enquiries@dcnetwork.org

May

11

Bath and Somerset – *new group* Family meetup

Come and join the new group for members in Bath and Somerset for their first meetup in Victoria Park in Frome.

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

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