Aimed at solo parents by choice (SPBC) through egg/sperm/embryo donation, this community-based café offers attendees the opportunity to discuss current research and developments within the donor conception world and talk about how they are trying to effect positive change. This is a safe space for reflection on the solo conception pathway.

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This session we have two guest speakers: Victoria Pratt and Liam Renouf. Both will be discussing the broad subject of school and early education. Both speakers will talk for 30 minutes and there will be 30 minutes at the end of the event for Q&A.

 

Victoria is a former early years teacher who is now a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood and Education at Oxford Brookes University and is completing her PhD at UCL. She will be speaking about her PhD research; how solo mums navigate the first three years of becoming a parent. She’ll be focusing on experiences of returning to paid work and managing childcare, but also wider aspects of family life during this period, including looking ahead to the school years.

 

Liam Renouf was conceived by anonymous sperm donor, to a solo mother by choice. He has appeared on ITV's Born From the Same Stranger, where he learnt more about his donor and donor conceived siblings. Liam will be talking about his own experiences and how donor-assisted families can navigate the relationship between families, schools, teachers, and school friends.

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Helpful links

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Paths to Parenthub: https://pathstoparenthub.com/

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The Stork and I Resources: https://thestorkandi.com/

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DCN resources: https://www.dcnetwork.org/product/primary-school-resources-for-parents-children-and-teachers/

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New Book Cyborg Conception: Cultural and Critical Responses to Solo Motherhood by Choice: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-59386-4

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New Event booking: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/events/event/43670/cyborg-conception-book-launch-and-panel-talk-the-importance-of-storytelling-for-solo-mothers-by-choice

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