More support for borough's families as third Family Hub opens
Parents, carers and young people in Downham now have easier access to free services, activities and different types of support following the opening of a new Family Hub.
We officially opened the doors to our third Family Hub on Shroffold Road yesterday (Monday 11 March). To mark the official opening, a ribbon was cut by Brenda Dacres, the newly-elected Mayor of Lewisham, and Councillor Chris Barnham, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.
It is the third of the new-style Hubs to open in the borough. They are designed to make it easier for parents, carers and young people to access the help and support they need by bringing together different services and types of support in a single location.
Using additional funding that the Council has secured from the UK government, Family Hubs make it quicker and simpler for families to get practical support.
The services available from the new Family Hub include parenting and feeding advice, support with wellbeing and mental health, and early language development. There will also be activities for older children and young people aged 11 to 19 (25 with a special educational need).
Services at the hubs are delivered by Lewisham Council staff and partner organisations including the local NHS and other community and voluntary organisations. In addition to the physical hub, there is also an online Family Hubs webpage which draws together information, advice and signposting to further support for families and young people in one easy-to-access online hub.
Building work is already underway on a fourth Family Hub in Honor Oak Youth Centre, Telegraph Hill.
Councillor Chris Barnham, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
“We’re pleased to open the newest of our popular Family Hubs in Downham. Everyone is welcome, whether to meet and socialise with other parents and families or to get support from services, all under one roof.
“Coming just weeks after Ofsted praised significant improvements in our children’s services, this newest Family Hub is another sign of our commitment to providing the borough’s families with the support and facilities needed to give children and young people the best possible start in life.”
The Family Hub in Downham is located on Shroffold Road, BR1 5PD. It is open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday and can be contacted on 020 8695 5915 or by emailing family.hubs@lewisham.gov.uk.