Second Family Hub opens in Bellingham
Lewisham Council officially opened the doors to its second Family Hub on Randlesdown Road yesterday (Monday 11 December) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Councillor Chris Barnham, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.
It is the second of the new-style hubs to open in the borough, which 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 have been designed to make it quicker and simpler for families to get practical support. The breadth of services that will be available from the new Family Hub will 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 a virtual Family Hubs offer on Lewisham Council’s website, which draws together information, advice and signposting to further support for families and young people in one easy-to-access online hub.
Lewisham Council is planning to open more hubs in the coming months, starting with a third location in Downderry in early 2024.
Councillor Chris Barnham, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Community Safety, said:
“Our first Family Hub in Deptford has been hugely popular, with families telling us that they really value having a place where they can meet, socialise and get support from services and other families – all under one roof.
“Everyone is welcome at our Family Hubs, whether they need support or just want to pop in for the activity sessions that give children, parents and carers the chance to socialise and support their children’s development. With our hubs in Belllingham and Deptford now up and running, we’re looking forward to bringing our popular Family Hub offer to even more locations across the borough next year.”
The Family Hub in Bellingham is located at 109-111 Randlesdown Road, SE6 3HB. It is open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday and can be contacted on 020 8314 9545 or by emailing family.hubs@lewisham.gov.uk.