About Us
Deben Doubles was set up in 1990 with the aim of providing information and support to local parents and carers of twins or more. Everyone is welcome from pre-birth onwards!
The group is a not-for-profit organisation run by the parents. Annual mem-bership costs £10.00 (2010/2011).
The group only currently meets for special events. (click here for more information on how to find us).
This is a great opportunity for parents and carers to meet over a coffee and a chat and there are lots of toys for babies, toddlers and older children to play with. For the summer there is also a lovely garden with outdoor toys.
Pre-school siblings are very welcome too with their twin brothers & sisters.
A newsletter is issued four times a year containing a variety of articles and information about our club’s activities as well as general information.
Helping you to find your feet – A case study
Ollie Hatcher set the club up in 1990 when her twins – Jo and Bonnie – were 2 years old. “When I found out I was expecting twins at 21 weeks, I couldn’t find any help – I knew no one with twins, had no idea how my pregnancy and the delivery might be different and what life would be like when I took them home from hospital! Deben Doubles was born out of that sheer lack of support and information.
I met some other twin mums and we were able to share our personal experiences with new or expectant parents and offer tips from breastfeeding two at a time to suggesting the best equipment for twins. We grew quickly and soon had families where siblings were adjusting to the arrival of twins or triplets; where mums could discuss whether to dress their children identically or not and then aspects of educating twins and more.
While adjusting to a new baby can be a difficult time, twins and multiples bring their own issues – and delights – too and for some it can be a very isolating time. By getting together with other parents is a great way of sharing this time.”
Paula Banthorpe, current Chair of Deben Doubles added “Since discovering Deben Double when my boys, Jake & Sam were a few months old, it has been a tremendous source of support over the years. With twins there always seems to be an everchanging issue to be addressed which is very different from having a singleton baby, I know, because I also have a teenage daughter, Rebecca as well. I’ve made some really good friends through the club and even though Jake and Sam are now at school I still go along to meet up with some of the mums and it is always lovely to see new families come along.”
“When I found out I was expecting twins in 2008 I went along to meet some of the mums at Deben Doubles as they were the best source of information on everything from what help was available locally through to what baby equipment you need and what you don’t,” said Caroline Pennington, mum to twins Jamie and Chloe and older daughter Sophie.
“I knew about the group from knowing Ollie and it really was so useful for me – we’re really keen to let people know about us so they can make the most of this source of support.”