Lots of support is available for parents of multiples from community organisations
Many community organisations, including multiple birth clubs, offer support in a range of ways to parents of multiples.
Multiple birth clubs
New and expectant parents who join a local Multiples Club, can expect a range of support. Clubs are a social network, with a vast pool of knowledge about multiples from other parents who had ‘been there and done it before’. Often, new members will be visited by a new members contact person, provided with an informative new member’s pack and a ‘mobile library’ of multiple-specific books. There may be twin specific antenatal sessions, in a supportive and reassuring environment; some will included a Breast Feeding Workshop.
When your twins are born, there is usually further contact from the clubs—sometimes with groceries and meals. Then, there are coffee mornings, playgroups and other family gatherings that provide support and companionship—also offered through club’s newsletter, website and Facebook. Many clubs have ‘Clothing Grabs’ where members can get free, quality, used clothing for their children, and most have ‘hire’ equipment (often for free), which saves money on vital baby items.
So, if you want real practical help, join a Multiples club!
To read an article about the great ways the Kapi-Mana Multiple Birth Club support their members, click here.
Help with meals—Bellyful
Bellyful is a national non-profit organisation helping New Zealand mums by delivering frozen, precooked meals to families with newborns and families struggling with illness. Simple tasty meals, like Spaghetti Bolognese, Macaroni Cheese and Lasagne are prepared by volunteer mums at Cookathons at one of 17 active, independent branches throughout NZ. Contact is via a local branch coordinator, and you can refer a friend or yourself, volunteer your time or donate to your branch.
For an information sheet about Bellyful, click here.
Help for single parent families—Birthright
Birthright New Zealand is a national Non Government Agency (NGO) that works with single parent families to provide emotional and financial support in a variety of ways. It has 15 branches around the country with services such as counselling and social work, in-home visits by Birthright support workers, budgeting assistance, self-esteem programmes for children, parenting workshops, play groups and parenting groups available at most branches.
Financial assistance can also be accessed to help pay school uniforms, teenagers to attend Spirit of Adventure courses and help out with other recreational activities. Retraining Grants are also available.
For an information sheet about Birthright, click here.
Support for families with premmies—Earlybuds
Early Buds, is a non-profit organsiation and ministry of the Rotorua Elim church. It supports parents of premature babies by offering a free prem pack to parents around New Zealand, filled with goodies from their generous sponsors, as well as offering hope, information and links to additional support via their website.
For an information sheet about Earlybuds, click here.
Help for children with vision problems (MoH)
Enable New Zealand is contracted by The Ministry of Health, to provide a Spectacle Subsidy for children with vision problems in low income families. The subsidy can be used for eye exams, frames, lenses, eye patchesand repairs. The annual subsidy amount is $287.50 (including GST); with a further $51.11 (including GST) is available for children that require an adult size frame. The subsidy covers examinations and prescriptions from an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist registered with Enable New Zealand, or to fill a prescription from a hospital-based eye examination.
For an information sheet about the MoH Spectacle Subsidy, click here.
