Norland and Twins Trust celebrate more than a decade of supporting families with multiples
13 October 2026
For more than a decade, Norland has worked in partnership with charity Twins Trust to provide specialist support to families with twins, triplets and quadruplets facing challenging circumstances.
Today, two Norlanders are helping lead that work. Gemma (Set 125), Head of In-Home Support at Twins Trust, and Jo (Set 116), In-Home Support Practitioner, use the skills and knowledge they developed at Norland to support families across England and Wales, helping parents build confidence and navigate the unique challenges of raising multiple children.
Through its In-Home Support service (formerly Family Crisis Support), Twins Trust provides practical, tailored support to families experiencing challenges ranging from perinatal mental health difficulties to complex family circumstances. Established in partnership with Norland in 2014, the service offers bespoke support designed around each family’s individual needs.
In this blog, Gemma and Jo reflect on their careers, how their Norland training continues to shape their professional practice, and the important role Norland students and graduates play in supporting families through volunteering.
From Norland training to specialist family support
Having gained their Norland diploma, Gemma and Jo qualified as Norland Nannies. They then went on to work with children and families across a variety of settings before joining Twins Trust’s In-Home Support team.
Gemma began her career as a nanny before moving into family support roles in nurseries and children’s centres. Jo combined nannying with roles in Montessori education, play therapy and therapeutic support for children and families.
Today, they work together as part of a specialist team supporting families with multiples. Their role combines practical guidance, emotional support and tailored interventions designed to help families develop confidence and independence.
Reflecting on working alongside another Norlander, Jo said: “Working in a team with another Norlander has been really positive. You just speak the same language. I think you can get to the bottom of things much quicker because everybody understands the same principles. It makes a really cohesive team.”
Supporting families when they need it most
The In-Home Support service works directly with families who may need additional help due to difficult circumstances or the particular challenges of caring for twins, triplets or quadruplets. The service is designed to empower parents, helping them develop practical strategies and build confidence for everyday family life.
A key part of the team’s work involves helping families develop routines and confidence through modelling and practical support.
Gemma explained: “A massive part of our work is modelling and confidence building. Having somebody in your home who can reassure you and help you build confidence can make such a difference.
“The things that we find simple, such as preparing to leave the house, can become huge challenges for families with multiples, particularly when they are experiencing mental health difficulties or other pressures. But once we’ve supported a family the first few times, they’re able to develop the organisational strategies, as well as the confidence, to be able to manage on their own.”
"We pride ourselves in it being a very bespoke service. We put the families at the centre of the support and provide what they need for however long they need it. Ideally, we're quite a short-term service. We aim to empower them to be able to move forward without our support, but every family is different."Norlander Gemma
Creating opportunities for the next generation of Norlanders
Alongside their work with families, Gemma and Jo also support the longstanding partnership between Norland and Twins Trust, which gives students and graduates opportunities to volunteer with families who need additional support.
Since 2014, Norland student and graduate volunteers have completed 337 home visits, providing 3,879 hours of support to families across England and Wales. These volunteers offer practical assistance and reassurance to parents while gaining valuable first-hand experience of supporting families with multiples. The programme has recently expanded to include current students, increasing the support available to families and providing valuable learning opportunities.
Gemma said: “It’s been really beneficial to open it up to students as well and give them some opportunities. They’ve been amazing. It has really increased our volunteer capacity and the amount of hours they’ve been able to give has been brilliant. It’s been a really positive step over this last year.”
Jo added: “It’s been great to see the students’ training in practice and get to know where they are with it. If it’s a student’s first time going in to support triplets, it can feel a little bit overwhelming, but we’re there to reassure them they have the knowledge they need.”
A partnership making a lasting difference
Twins Trust’s In-Home Support service continues to make a meaningful difference to families with multiples, helping parents build confidence, develop practical strategies and overcome challenging circumstances.
For Gemma and Jo, the partnership also demonstrates the lasting value of a Norland education. Having built fulfilling careers supporting families through Twins Trust, they are now helping current Norland students and graduates gain experience and make a positive impact through volunteering.
Together, Norland and Twins Trust remain committed to supporting families with multiples while creating opportunities for the next generation of early years professionals to develop their skills, confidence and expertise.
Through specialist knowledge, practical support and compassion, Norlanders continue to help families navigate some of life’s most challenging moments and build brighter futures for parents, children and carers.
"It's been great to see the students' training in practice and get to know where they are with it. If it's a student's first time going in to support triplets, it can feel a little bit overwhelming, but we're there to reassure them they have the knowledge they need."Norlander Jo
