Family Hubs Visits at an All Time High

Families across Tameside are reaping the benefits at local family hubs as services and attendance numbers go from strength-to-strength.

With a 500% increase in children accessing groups in only two years, the centres are demonstrating the demand for nurturing and creative sessions from birth to pre-school age, as well as support services for parents and carers.

The hubs bring together provisions from Tameside Council and its partners which has improved access to early years’ services, parenting, education, financial and mental health support for families with children.

Activities are designed to develop language and communication skills, social interaction, and bring fun and interactive play to children.

Tameside’s family hubs are free to access and have four main locations in Ashton, Droylsden, Stalybridge and Hyde. They are open five days a week with up to 50 different sessions available from Monday to Friday, including Baby Babble, Mini Explorers, and Storywalks.

Feedback on services is actively encouraged through the Parent Carer Panels, which offer opportunities to meet others in a welcoming environment, with recent sessions including Christmas wreath making.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Teresa Smith said: “Tameside’s family hubs are an invaluable asset in the community, and the team do an amazing job of providing a welcoming and supportive environment for families. Our sessions and groups are for all families and are not benefit-related, so I encourage all parents and carers to come along.

“We have expanded the number and variety of activities to meet the needs of parents, carers and their children, and ensure the Best Start for Life and Family Hubs Programme reaches as many people as possible.”

To find out how you can access services at your local family hub, visit www.tameside.gov.uk/FamilyHubs.