Parents urged to reach out and seek help during Twins, Triplets and More week

Twins, Triplets and More week was on 1-7 July and charity Tamba used the occasion to raise awareness of its free listening service, Twinline, which is open five days a week to families of multiples.

Callers will speak to a mum of twins or triplets, who has been trained and, most importantly, will understand and empathise with what they may be going through. Volunteer listeners offer reassurance, support and a listening ear and are able to signpost callers towards further help if needed.

Tamba Twinline listeners are all trained to acknowledge when someone might need more professional help because they are feeling very low. Twinline co-ordinator and twin mum Louise Bowman says in these cases often making the first phone call is a step in the right direction: "We have found that just having the courage to pick up the phone and say 'I'm not coping' is a huge breakthrough. It's so important to talk to someone who will listen – and that's us. We know the sooner people reach out for help, the sooner they can get the right support."