Edinburgh and Lothians Twin Club

Groups

Babies, Bumps and Toddlers groups

There are several Babies Bumps and Toddlers groups based around Edinburgh and Lothian. Each group costs £2 per family. If you are expecting multiples it is well worth popping along to your nearest group and chatting to the those who already have twins or more. It is also a chance to see which pushchairs are the easiest to handle! All the groups are very happy to welcome new multiple families. More information about individual groups follows. For locations and directions please see the groups map.

We had a successful trial meeting at St Stephens Church hall, Comely Bank on Monday 18th February 2008, of our newest Babies, Bumps and Toddlers group and since then the group has gone from strength to strength. The group meets on Mondays from 10am-11:30am every week.

The Oxgangs group is the longest established twin group in Edinburgh, providing a welcoming, relaxed and supportive atmosphere for all twin mums (including those at bump stage) and carers. It meets every Thursday from 10-11:30am at the Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre, Firrhill Drive (Tel:0131 441 7558), and has a number of regulars and a wide age-group, from teeny babies through to pre-schoolers. There are plenty of toys to keep your children amused (i.e. kitchens, trikes, slides, tunnels). Soft mats and bouncy chairs for babies and high chairs are available and the friendly staff in the centre can provide tea, coffee and snacks. Plus, we also have a selection of books for mums which can be lent our during sessions.

The South Queensferry group meets every Friday morning from 10am-noon at the Scout Hut in Port Edgar, South Queensferry. There is an area for babies with soft toys and baby seats. For the toddlers there are a selection of books, toy trains and cars, pushchairs and dolls, push-along toys, and climb on/in toys such as slides, see-saws, cars and trikes. Mums, dads and carers can have a chat with a tea or coffee and a biscuit (with high chairs for the babies), while the little ones play. We also have a special table and chairs for the little ones so they can enjoy a drink and biscuit too. Outside we have access to an enclosed grass area overlooking the Fourth, where the children can play during the summer.

The Joppa group was restarted in 2008 and meets on Mondays at 10am in St Philip's church hall.

First Year's groups

There are now two First Year's groups these are for pregnant parents and parents in their first year of raising multiples. Please bring your babies and we'll help while we chat. We sometimes have speakers and there is the opportunity to meet others at the same stage and talk to multiple mums who've been there but whose children are sleeping so they can concentrate! We hope to make it a relaxed and open resource. Don't worry about turning up late!

Topics for speakers include such things as:

These groups offer a good chance to meet other people at the same stage, and talk to multiple mums who've been there already and can give advice and support.

St John's First Year's Groups is the original one, and meets in the Parentcraft Room at St John's Hospital, Livingston, from 8.00-10.00pm on the first Wednesday of every month.

A new Oxgangs First Year's Group has started in addition to the other one. This group meets at Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre (where the Oxgangs "Babies Bumps and Toddlers" Group meets) on the second Tuesday of every month, from 8.00-9.30pm (please see the First Year's message board for address and directions/buses). This runs very similar topics to the established First Year's Group at St. John's.

Other groups

There are several other groups we know about, but which are not run by Edinburgh Twins Club. They are all fantastic places to meet other mums who are in a similar position. The details we have are shown below. If you notice any mistakes, or know of any other groups for multiples, please let us know.

The Longniddry group meets on the first and third Thursday of the month in Longniddry Community Centre, but not on school holidays. The centre has a staffed shop selling drinks and snacks, overlooking the hall, giving a safe environment to chat whilst looking after babies or toddlers. There are a range of toys for babies and toddlers, and enough space for the older children to run around. There is a soft play area in the centre.

The Broxburn group is held at Broxburn Family Centre every Monday morning from 9.30am - 12pm. Whilst the 3 very friendly members of staff look after our twins in the activity room, we can sit round the corner and have a chat over a scone and cup of tea (great!). Obviously if one of your twins need you, you are close enough to pop in and deal with them.

The Bo'ness group meets every Thursday morning at the Playbugs soft-play, Linlithgow, 10.00 till 11.30. We get a good discount! We have members from Larbert, Falkirk, Bo'ness, Linlithgow, and being T.A.M.B. mothers we really do think "the more the merrier". So wherever you are in Central Scotland, bring your babies, bumps or toddlers and meet some friendly mums who've been through it all!