24 November 2021

Twin mum Diana Daborn called Twinline in despair over sleep and routines issues in 2016 – now she volunteers as a Twinline listener herself.

Diana said: ‘I’d become a Twins Trust member when Katy and Peter were born. Katy developed a swelling on her neck that affected her airway. She was under Great Ormond Street’s care for a while, so that meant lots of visits and an operation. They were 8 months old when I first called Twinline. To be honest, my first call was probably a bit of a rant! I was exhausted as I couldn’t get them to sleep or to wait for anything, and as a single parent all the responsibility fell on me. My midwife and health visitor were both very rigid in their views; I didn’t find them helpful.

‘In contrast, the Twins Trust volunteer I spoke to was so calm and reassuring, and everything she said and shared with me was so well thought-out. I felt my Twinline listener really understood, as she shared her own experience of having twins and facing similar challenges. I used the brilliant sleep guides and received some really useful slides, and it made such a difference.’

The Twins Trust volunteer I spoke to was so calm and reassuring, and everything she said and shared with me was so well thought-out.

Diana was inspired to become a Twinline listener herself when Katy and Peter were 8 months old. ‘I thought that I would like to give something back to the charity. I could easily take calls on the evening shift once the babies were asleep – by then they were good sleepers! We have such good training and so much support. My background as a paramedic means I am used to dealing with people who may be feeling distressed. I often find that the calls in the evening are about children’s behaviour during the day, or sleep-related, which can sound very familiar!’

Having now been a Twinline Listener for five years, Diana thinks she will continue to volunteer for a long time to come.  ‘I’m so glad to be able to help others receive the same support that I needed so much when Katy and Peter were little. They have just started infant school, and once again I have asked advice from other twin mums in our listeners’ team about my twins being put in different classes. It just shows that the need for that ongoing, vital support network is there at every stage of family life!’

I’m so glad to be able to help others receive the same support that I needed so much when Katy and Peter were little.