The twins reunited with their parents after four months in lockdown

Report by ITV News Meridian's Richard Slee


A family from Bournemouth have been reunited after four long months apart.

They were separated because of the pandemic, which brought them many challenges.

Twins Mark and Nathaniel have severe autism and a mental age of under five.

Lockdown meant they couldn't have any visitors to their residential home, which has been upsetting for their parents.  

The twin's mother Jenny Ross says it's the knowing that they don't understand what's going on that's hard.

She added: "It's heartbreaking for me because I've not been able to see them to say mummy's still here, I still love you. Trying to explain that the world's poorly and you have to stay where you are. It's been really tough on all of us."

Credit: ITV News Meridian

Last year, ITV News Meridian filmed the twins at their residential home near Ringwood, but during lockdown they had to move to a new home in Bournemouth. A change which would have been stressful for them at the best of times.

But the day before they came home, mum and dad were able to visit the twins for their 19th birthday party. 

Credit: ITV News Meridian


During lockdown, Jenny has written more books about the challenges of raising children with severe autism.

She says writing and illustrating the books has also been good for her own mental heath.

Jenny says writing the books has helped her cope. Credit: ITV News Meridian

More visits home are planned, and hopefully Jenny and Neil will now see the twins every other weekend.