Privacy Notice: BIG Donor Conception Survey

Last updated: 29th December 2025

This privacy notice is specific to the BIG Donor Conception Survey. For information about how we handle data across our website and services, please see our general Privacy Policy at pathstoparenthub.com/privacy-policy/

Who we are

This survey is conducted by Paths to Parenthub, operated by Definingmum Ltd. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data responsibly.

Data controller: Definingmum Ltd (trading as Paths to Parenthub)

Contact: info@pathstoparenthub.com

What we’re collecting and why

We’re gathering experiences of donor conception to:

  • Understand the challenges and support needs of donor conception families
  • Shape the support we provide through Paths to Parenthub membership and free resources
  • Advocate for better recognition and support for the donor conception community
  • Highlight the experiences of donor conception parents to policymakers, healthcare providers, and the public
  • Demonstrate how community support can help fill gaps in current provision

The survey collects information about your fertility journey (such as reasons for using donor conception and types of treatment), your experiences with clinics and support services, and your personal reflections on donor conception.

Our legal basis for processing your data

We process your data based on legitimate interests in research and advocacy to improve support and recognition for donor conception families. We believe this research serves an important public interest and that participants reasonably expect their voluntarily-given responses to be used for these purposes.

For sensitive data about health, fertility treatment, and family building, we rely on your explicit consent, which you provide by choosing to complete this survey after reading this privacy notice.

How we use your information

Analysis and research:

  • Survey responses are analysed by the Paths to Parenthub team (Becky Kearns – Founder & CEO, Hayley – Head of Operations, and Eleanor – Community Manager) and an external professional researcher supporting with data analysis
  • Data may be downloaded from SurveyMonkey to password-protected Excel files for analysis

Sharing findings:

  • We will publish anonymised, aggregated findings through social media, reports on our website, presentations, and potentially academic conferences (such as ESHRE)
  • Findings will inform the support and resources we provide through Paths to Parenthub
  • Results may be shared with policymakers, healthcare providers, clinics, and other stakeholders to advocate for better donor conception support
  • We will never share your individual survey responses or personal data with third parties

Use of quotes:

We may use anonymous quotes from your written responses in reports, presentations, articles, social media, and advocacy materials to illustrate key findings and experiences. When using quotes, we will:

  • Remove all identifying information (names, locations, workplace names, clinic names, specific dates, and any other details that could identify you)
  • Modify details where necessary to protect your anonymity whilst preserving the meaning of your experience
  • Never attribute quotes to you by name without separate explicit permission

If you would prefer your responses not to be used as quotes, please contact us at info@pathstoparenthub.com

Email addresses (optional):

If you choose to provide your email address, we will use it to:

  • Enter you into the prize draw (if you’ve opted in)
  • Send you a summary of research findings
  • Contact you about potential follow-up research (only if you’ve consented to this)

Your email address is stored separately from your survey responses and will not be used for any other purpose.

Data storage and security

  • Survey responses are collected via SurveyMonkey and stored on their secure servers
  • Only authorised Paths to Parenthub team members and our contracted researcher have access to raw data
  • Downloaded data is stored on password-protected devices
  • Email addresses for the prize draw and follow-up are stored separately from survey responses

How long we keep your data

We will retain survey data for 5 years from the date the survey closes. This allows us to:

  • Complete thorough analysis
  • Publish findings and reports
  • Respond to questions about our research methodology
  • Conduct follow-up research if needed

After 5 years, we will securely delete all identifiable information. We will retain anonymised, aggregated findings indefinitely for historical advocacy records and to track changes over time.

Your rights

Under GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Access the data you’ve provided
  • Correct any inaccurate information in your responses
  • Delete your responses (before findings are published)
  • Withdraw from the study at any time before publication
  • Object to how we use your data
  • Restrict processing of your data in certain circumstances
  • Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@pathstoparenthub.com. Please note that once anonymised findings have been published, we may not be able to identify and remove your specific responses from aggregated data.

Anonymity and confidentiality

Your privacy is extremely important to us. When publishing findings:

  • We will only present aggregated data (e.g., “65% of respondents reported…”)
  • We will use broad categories to prevent identification
  • If numbers in any category are very small (fewer than 5 people), we will combine categories or suppress the data to protect anonymity
  • We will carefully review all quotes and examples to ensure they cannot identify individuals
  • The donor conception community is relatively close-knit, so we take extra care to protect your identity

Third-party services

This survey uses SurveyMonkey to collect responses. SurveyMonkey is GDPR-compliant and processes data in accordance with their privacy policy. You can read more at surveymonkey.com/mp/legal/privacy-policy

Changes to this privacy notice

We may update this privacy notice from time to time. Any changes will be posted on our website at pathstoparenthub.com, and the “last updated” date will be revised.

Questions or concerns?

If you have any questions about how we handle your data, or if you wish to exercise any of your rights, please contact us at info@pathstoparenthub.com.

You can also contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you have concerns about how your data is being processed:

  • Website: ico.org.uk
  • Helpline: 0303 123 1113

By continuing with this survey, you confirm that you have read and understood this privacy notice and consent to participate in this research.