East Bury Family Hub opens its doors to the community

Wednesday, 1 November 2023 13:40

By David Murphy

A new Family Hub has opened in East Bury – and it could be the first of many across the borough.

Family hubs are places where council, health and community services come together so that families can access the right support when it’s needed.

The East Bury hub is located at 25 Dorset Drive in Bury, in the former Redvales Children’s Centre. It was officially opened on Friday by the Mayor of Bury, Cllr Sandra Walmsley; Bury Youth Mayor, Daniel Lewis; and Cllr Lucy Smith, cabinet member for children’s services.

The event included activities for children and young people, including stay and play, crafts, a dedicated youth area, mindfulness sessions and taster sessions for young people and parents.

There was also a marketplace of services, which included 25 different services and partners across different sectors - including, council, health, community and voluntary sector - showcasing what they do and offering information and support to families attending.

Family hubs build on the traditional children’s centre offer, which has supported 0-5 year olds and their parents, to offer all children and young people 0-19 (or 25 with SEND) and their whole family access to activities, services and support when they need it.

The council’s aim is to establish Family Hubs in neighbourhoods across the borough, with the East Bury Family Hub being developed as the first pilot.

Cllr Smith said: “It was great to be at the opening of the East Bury Family Hub. These hubs will be a lifeline for families, places where support is offered by a variety of services so that our children and young people have the best start in life and continue to be supported through into adulthood.

“This is part of our 2030 Let’s Do It Strategy and wider transformation in children’s services to create a whole family approach and improve the services offered to families in the borough.”

Youth mayor Daniel Lewis said it was “an honour to be invited to this event, it was truly a great success. Let’s hope the Family Hub enables young people and families to succeed in Bury”.

To see the full programme of activities/support being delivered out of the Family Hub, go to https://padlet.com/BuryEarlyYears/east-bury-family-hub-uclstpgnvtm9xu3r

If you live in East Bury (Redvales, Moorside and Bury East), please let us know what you would like to see out of the Family Hub and what would make the biggest difference to you and your family: https://forms.office.com/e/u0djNNL2QS