First of our new Family Hubs opens its doors to you

The first Family Hub in Oldham has opened at the Beever Centre in St Mary’s, supported by an all-new digital Family Hub to support families 24 hours a day.

Launching the Family Hub project, Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “Surestart Centres were once a lifeline to many families in Oldham and so I’m both proud and hopeful to be launching the first of the Family Hubs buildings which will build on the legacy of Surestart and improve outcomes for Oldham’s families.”

Beever Centre will be one of six Family Hubs to open across the borough over the next two years. A new online site that brings all the information into one space will also be available.

The council has secured £3.6m investment to deliver the project, which will create one-stop shops for health, council and support services. Through both in-person and virtual settings, Family Hubs bring everything into one space – from maternity and health visiting to activities and parenting classes.

While children’s centres focus mainly on children in their early years, Family Hubs will provide services for all areas of the family journey, whether babies, children or teenagers. There will also be support for children and young people with additional needs (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities – SEND).

The new Beever Centre Family Hub on Moorby Street has undergone a major facelift, which sees its outdoor and indoor spaces refurbished into welcoming places for families to enjoy and access the services they need.

What was once a crowded office space has been transformed into a bright and airy family room, with activities for children of all ages and young people with SEND up to age 25.

The outdoor space has seen its weathered furniture replaced and its nature walk has been given a new lease of life.

A community kitchen, additional family room and a breastfeeding room are also in place, all set around an inviting reception space.

Cllr Shaid Mushtaq, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “I know Beever Centre very well and the transformation of the space is fantastic. It’s more than a lick of paint and you can see the thought that has gone into the use of the rooms, it’s outdoor space and how services can be provided more effectively and with residents in mind.”

In addition to core services, partner support will also be available at each of the hubs. This includes breastfeeding advice from Home-Start, support for fathers from Dad Matters, and support groups such as the Afghan Women’s Group.

Parent and Carer Panel needs your views

You can have a say in improving the services that Oldham’s parents and carers can access, from pregnancy through to their child’s second birthday. Join Oldham’s Parent and Carer Panel today.

We’re building a diverse group of parents and carers to tell us what they think to ensure we listen to all voices in the community. The panel will include other parents and carers like you.

Share your experiences of pregnancy, having a baby or accessing help and shape services in your local area to improve the quality of care and support that other new families receive.

You might be asked about your experience of meeting your midwife for the first time, how you rate breastfeeding support, or what you think about family activities. You will be asked about Family Hubs, and how you feel about the services you receive.

Parent and Carer Panel sessions also have activities for children and volunteers to keep an eye on little ones.

Panel sessions are taking place in every district across Oldham, and you can attend one or all of them –whatever’s most convenient to you.

To find out all about parent panels, head to www.oldham.gov.uk/familyhubs

Thousands of families not claiming free food and vitamins

Families in Oldham are being prompted to check whether they are eligible for the free Healthy Start card which gives them access to free healthy food, milk and vitamins.

The prepaid card can be used in over 30,000 shops in the UK, and is topped up by £8.50 each week (£4.25 if your baby hasn’t been born yet). You can use the card to buy any of the following:

• Plain liquid cow’s milk

• Infant formula milk based on cow’s milk

• Fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables

• Fresh, dried or tinned pulses, such as lentils, beans, peas and barley

• Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding

• Vitamin drops for babies and young children –suitable from birth to four years old

You can apply via the Family Hubs website if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or have at least one child under four years old. You must also be on a low income.

Even if you are not eligible for the NHS Healthy Start Card, you can still purchase cheaper vitamins for you and your child at one of our Family Hubs or children’s centres. Vitamins for expectant and nursing mothers are just 80p while children’s vitamin drops are £1.60.

Speak to a midwife or health visitor about the Healthy Start prepaid card or apply online at https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/