Welcome

History

The Forest Twins and Triplets Club was founded in 1975 and celebrated its’ 30th anniversary in 2005. The FTTC was the first ever Club for multiple birth families in the country and was founded by a lady called Mrs June Tatch who wanted to meet other parents of multiples when she had her twins. She then went on the help set up TAMBA (Twins and Multiple Birth Association).
The Club has been active ever since, is a parent-run club, working on a purely voluntary basis.
The Club covers Waltham Forest, Redbridge and Epping Forest Districts (hence it's name), however, welcomes enquiries from further afield where there are still no clubs available and if you can get to us then you are very welcome to come and play. We are a member of TAMBA and you will find us registered on their web site under twins clubs.
The Forest Twins and Triplets Club Playgroup is a ‘members only’ group for all multiple birth families and is led by a Committee which is elected every year through an AGM. However, the Club belongs to every Member and we would ask for everyone's assistance in helping to keep it a happy and welcoming place to be part of. It is easy to join the Club with only one criteria - you are a parent/grandparent/carer of multiples or are expecting multiples - the rest is easy.

Where and When

The hub of the Club is the weekly Playgroup where you can meet other parents and carers of twins and triplets. In addition to this we hold Nearly New Sales twice a year, issue quarterly Newsletters, hold an annual Summer Family Fun Day, and a Children's Christmas Party. We also organise parent's nights out for some relaxation without the little ones around. We aim, as part of our service, to support and advise antenatal parents and new parents of twins and triplets as best we can by pulling from our own experiences as parents of multiples.

Not all members can attend the Playgroup, or their children have moved on to pre-school and school. However, they still remain part of the Club as it quite often becomes an integral part of their lives and a major part of their early years as parents of multiples. Many members have formed great new friendships that continue as the children grow up.

Time

We meet every Monday throughout the year in the hall at Wanstead Youth Centre (except Bank Holidays and unless notified)
The playgroup is open between 10.30am and 12.30pm.
Members can come and go between these times according to their schedule. All we ask is you sign in on arrival and pay your weekly subs (and let someone know you are leaving just in case of emergency.)

Charges

• An Annual Membership Fee is payable of £10 per family – please ask for a form. This covers Insurance, subscriptions and some admin costs as well as allowing the Club to improve on the children’s facilities and free support it offers antenatal families.
• The membership year is from 1st April till the following 31st March although you may join at anytime during the year. Fees cover the whole year or any part of it. This membership entitles you to attend the Playgroup and Club events as well as benefit from the Club Newsletter, Nearly New Sales and other events organised by the Club. If you join in the last quarter of the financial year, you will pay your £10 membership, but will not need to renew in April.

A weekly sub of £2.50 per family is payable when you attend Playgroup and it is your responsibility to make sure you pay and sign in. We rely on subs to pay our weekly rent and ideally people should bring the correct change.
For new or prospective members the first session is FREE.
If you have difficulty in meeting any of these charges, please speak to any of our committee members.

Antenatal Parents

For Antinatal parents, we offer a free support and advice service and will send relevant information as and when obtained and until you are able to attend Playgroup and/or join formally. This could be within weeks, months or even a year or so of birth and only when you feel ready. We always recommend you attend Playgroup at some time during your pregnancy in order to meet and chat with other mums/carers of multiples. This is the best way to find out what life is really all about and to realise that we are all well-grounded, very friendly and generally quite relaxed people! Any antenatal or new parents with another child of pre-school age or under are more than welcome to bring the older child along whilst they attend Playgroup with their twins/triplets or more. School age children are welcome to attend during the school holidays however be aware that activities are aimed at preschoolers and below.

We hope that you and your children will enjoy our group.
If you have any questions about the group please call 07932 670610 or email foresttwins.tripletsclub@googlemail.com