Rochdale launches free parenting support app for families

Thursday, 3 July 2025 11:19

By David Murphy

Councillor Rachel Massey promotes the Rochdale Borough Council Family Hub app.

A new mobile app aims to make trusted parenting advice easier to access for families across Rochdale, with localised guidance available in over 75 languages.

Families across Rochdale can now access free parenting advice and support at the touch of a button, thanks to a new app launched by Rochdale Borough Council in partnership with Essential Parent.

The ‘GM Family Hub’ app, developed in collaboration with councils across Greater Manchester, offers parents and carers help on everything from pregnancy through to the teenage years. Once logged in with a postcode, users automatically receive tailored advice and resources relevant to Rochdale, Middleton and Heywood.

Designed to work alongside face-to-face support from family hubs, the app includes information on speech and language development, managing behaviour, women’s health, and special educational needs and disabilities. It also offers push notifications on events and activities at Rochdale’s 17 family hubs.

Councillor Rachel Massey, portfolio holder for children’s services and education, welcomed the launch. She said: “Having all of this trusted information and guidance in one easily accessible place... is incredibly helpful, especially when support is needed outside of usual hours or in the moment.”

She stressed the app complements, rather than replaces, professionals like health visitors and school nurses. “We’re committed to helping every child in our borough have the best start in life, and this app is just one more tool to support that,” she added.

Families can download the app for free on Apple and Android devices. It also includes videos, articles and expert advice from more than 30 national organisations, as well as health information from local services like midwifery and health visiting teams.

More details and direct links to download the app are available at http://www.ourrochdale.org.uk/familyhubsapp

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