Published: Tuesday, 12th December 2023
Oldham’s first Family Hub has delivered a lifeline for families after opening its doors this summer.
Now, consultation has opened on exciting plans to provide better services for children in the heart of our communities.
Millions of pounds in funding for new Family Hubs has meant that we can now provide improved services for our children and families in seven new Family Hub centres, the first of which opened in July at Beever Children’s Centre.
Each of our Family Hubs will provide an open door for families needing help and advice from our dedicated, trained support workers. They will also host a wide range of clinics, activities, classes and drop-in sessions including stay and play sessions, baby weighing clinics, baby feeding groups and more.
Alongside our plans for seven new Family Hubs, we are also planning to deliver classes, clinics, drop ins and activities for families from other public buildings like schools, community centres, town halls, libraries and leisure centres – right in the heart of local areas. At the same time, our online Family Hub is already up and running, so people can access expert help and advice however suits them best - including online.
Using community buildings and the seven new Family Hubs will mean that some of our current Children’s Centres won’t be used for these services in future. But all the same services, activities, clinics and classes that are delivered in each area now will still be delivered from that area – just from a different, better equipped building. There will be no reduction in any services currently provided as a result of these changes.
We are now asking people in Oldham for their views on these changes. That consultation opened today (Tuesday 12 December) and will run until Monday 29 January.
Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Shaid Mushtaq, said: “As a parent myself, I know the challenges parenthood can bring, and how important it is to have quality services for families right in the heart of our neighbourhoods.
“It’s great news that we have had millions of pounds in additional funding, enabling us to provide a wider range of activities and support from our new Family Hub centres and other buildings.
“As we provide more services out of much-improved buildings, this means moving some current activities out of centres that are under-used or no longer fit for purpose. No services or activities will close, but they could be provided in different places within the same areas.
“That’s why, from today, we want to hear from families and Oldham residents on what they think of the proposals. We want to hear which services are important to you, what you think of our proposed new Family Hubs, and more.
“The consultation is now open online on our website, or simply speak to a member of staff in our Children’s Centres to tell us what you think.”
Join the online consultation now and have your say before the closing date of Monday 29 January 2024.