 | TWINS & MULTIPLE BIRTHS ASSOCIATION |
Supports families with twins, triplets or more, individually, through local
Twins Clubs and specialist support groups, and promotes public and professional
awareness of their needs.
(Registered Charity No. 326734) The Association was founded in 1978, originally as the Twins Clubs
Association, and became the Twins and
Multiple Births Association (TAMBA) in 1985, when charitable status was
granted. The aims- To give encouragement and support to parents of twins, triplets or more.
- To increase public and professional awareness of the incidence, effects
and specific needs of twins, triplets or more.
- To promote greater understanding within the statutory, professional and
voluntary organisations of the needs of multiple births.
- To advance education and encourage research on the needs of multiple birth
families.
- To provide information and publications about twins, triplets and more.
- To promote and establish a network of local, regional and national
support.
- To maintain links with other multiple birth organisations worldwide.
- To provide and develop resources to achieve the above aims.
Membership is open to all parents of twins, triplets or more, including
expectant parents. Grandparents, adult twins and professionals involved with
multiples are also welcome to join. Current membership is approximately 3,500
families. Publications Twins Triplets and More Magazine is issued three times a year and
sent direct to all TAMBA members. This magazine is a lively and informative
publication devoted entirely to multiple birth matters. Available only through
subscription to TAMBA. Leaflets A comprehensive range of leaflets, pamphlets and booklets,
covering the care and management of multiples from conception to adolescence,
is available from TAMBA. Literature is constantly updated, revised and extended
to meet the needs of both parents and professionals. Books All books currently on the market concerning twins, triplets
or more are available through TAMBA. Most of these books have been written by
members of TAMBA's Health and Education Group. Local A network of around 250 Twins Clubs throughout the UK provides local
support, friendship, advice and information. Each club is autonomous and runs
according to the needs and wishes of its own members. Regular meetings for
parents may include speakers; daytime meetings provide an opportunity for the
children to mix with other mutliple birth children as well as other brothers
and sisters. Social events for all the family form an important part of many
club activities. Other club services may include a library of books, leaflets
and press cuttings about twins; used equipment and clothes sales; an equipment
bak where members may borrow items but, most important of all, each club
affords members the chance to share their knowledge and experience of coping
with an instant family. Regional TAMBA offers support on a region-wide basis. The UK has thirteen regions
each run by its own team and headed by a Regional Representative who provides
the main link between local Twins Clubs and TAMBA. Events are organised as
desired and this usually includes an annual regional conference with speakers,
and a summer picnic. There are clubs in the following regions: London, South East, South, South
West, East, Home Counties, Midlands, Wales, North East, North West, North,
Scotland and Northern Ireland. National A weekend conference is held in the Spring offering a full programme with
speakers and workshops on topics of concern and interest to parents and
professionals. Study Days are also organised by TAMBA's Health and Education Group. All
these events are held at different venues throughout the UK each year, so that
members have the opportunity of attending an event which is close to where they
live. A combined morning conference and Annual General Meeting in the Autumn
concludes the year's national activities. International Through membership of the Council of Multiple Birth Organisations liaison
is maintained with our sister organisations world-wide, and membership of the
International Society for Twin Studies ensures regular contact with research
being undertaken in other countries. TAMBA twinline In 1991 TAMBA set up the first national listening and information service for parents of twins or
more, which operates between the hours of 7pm and 11pm each weekday evening and
10am and 11pm on Saturday and Sunday. The line is manned by volunteer parents
of twins or higher multiples who have undergone a comprehensive training course
in listening skills. Support for parents and professionals Specialist Support TAMBA has five main specialist support groups catering for families with
particular needs. For most of these families, isolation can be a real problem
and so each group offers a newsletter, a Contact Scheme where families can be
put in touch with others in a similar situation, and meetings giving unique
opportunities for these families to get together. TAMBA Supertwins Group - for the increasing number of parents of triplets,
quads or more. TAMBA Special Needs Group - for families who have one or more of their
multiple birth children with some form of handicap or special need. TAMBA One Parent Families Group - for those parents left to bring up their
twins, triplets or more alone either through single parenthood, divorce of the
death of a partner. TAMBA Infertility Support Group - for parents who are considering or
undergoing fertility treatment and for those who are expecting or have
multiples following treatment. TAMBA Bereavement Support Group - for families who have suffered the loss of
one or both of their twins, or one or more babies from a higher multiple set.
An annual Memorial Service is held for these families, and a Book of
Rememberance is kept and entries made as requested. TAMBA Adopted Multiples Register - a small register is maintained for
families who have adopted multiples so that support and information can be
offered to newly adopting parents. Professional supportTAMBA's Health and Education Group provides a parent/professional
partnership. Membership comprises those from the caring professions - health,
social care and education - most of whom are also parents of twins or more. The
group aims to provide many services to TAMBA and its members as well as the
public and fellow professionals, including: - Assessing the needs of multiple births families
- Providing information for parents on the care of twins or more
- Providing professional advice and a consultancy service for parents
- Assisting researchers
- Identifying the training needs of parents, volunteers and professionals
- Providing training courses for parents and professionals including suitably
trained speakers, relevant literature and audi-visual aids
- Promoting liaisons with related organisations
- Enabling members to share views and information through bulletins,
meetings and study days
Further information For a TAMBA Information Pack or any other information regarding the Twins
and Multiple Births Association, please send a stamped addressed envelope to
TAMBA.
Twins & Multiple Births Association (TAMBA)
Harnott House
309 Chester Road
|Ellesmere Port
CH661QQ  0151-348 0020
 0151-348 0765
01732 868000 (Twinline)
(7pm-11pm weekdays, 10am-11pm Sat/Sun)
 http://www.surreyweb.org.uk/tamba/
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