Plans underway for 'much needed' Family Hub on Portland
Additional support is coming for parents on Portland with SEN children or even just struggling with parenthood
Last updated 31st Jan 2025
Parents on Portland will soon benefit from a new family hub opening up at Portland Community Hospital.
Family hubs provide a range of support for families with children from conception to age 18 including things like play and learning sessions, health visits, midwifery appointments and parenting advice.
Cllr Clare Sutton told us: “The premise of the family hub is to give families the help and support they need early on or perhaps when things become more difficult.
“It gives parents the opportunity to think ‘I might benefit from some parenting advice’ because it really can be daunting.
“New parents may have some fairly rudimentary questions they want and need answered, the family hub gives them that chance.
“There's also a networking element, going to places and being around people living similar experiences to you can be really helpful in terms of forming bonds and mutual support networks.”
This collaborative approach brings together Dorset Council, health services, and voluntary organisations to deliver tailored support for local families.
Dorset Council is now working closely with Dorset HealthCare to develop plans for the space, including remodelling to create welcoming, accessible areas for activities and services
Cllr Sutton added: “We need these types of services on Portland so they are accessible to local residents.
“At the moment, parents are being given appointments at 9am in Bridport or Poole but if you're reliant on public transport that can be extremely difficult to get to, so bringing these services to local residents is super important.”
In addition to providing input on the location of the family hub, families in Portland have also had the opportunity to share their views on the services they would like to see offered.
Key suggestions from the community have included enhanced support for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), the creation of safe spaces for teenagers, the provision of dedicated LGBTQ+ support and safe spaces, and improvements to transport and accessibility
Dorset Council says it is committed to working with families and local organisations to address these priorities and ensure the family hub meets the diverse needs of the Portland community.