New children's home and outreach centre opens in Weymouth
College House and the Harbour Hub are on Dorchester Road
A new children's home and outreach centre has been officially opened in Weymouth
Dorset Council's made extensive refurbishments to a building on Dorchester Road since May 2021, with the site now known as College House and the Harbour Hub.
It's aimed at supporting both young people and their families, with a team of 20 people from across the Council, Dorset Police and the NHS.
Cllr Andrew Parry, portfolio holder for Children, Education and Early Help, said:
“I’m delighted to share the opening celebrations for this excellent new children’s home in Weymouth. We want all our children in Dorset to have the best chance in life, whatever their circumstances, and this new, bright and homely building with its great team of professionals will really strengthen our provision.”
What is College House?
The children's home side will be used to provide short term stays for young people, while providing intensive support for children and their families.
It's hoped that will help them to ultimately remain together as a family.
Cllr Kate Wheller, Corporate Parenting Board Chair at Dorset Council, said:
“College House has a wonderful friendly and stable feeling, and I am sure this new home and its professional team will transform many young people’s lives.”
It's been put together with sustainability in mind too - furnished with previously adored furniture to create a more homely environment, improving quality and reducing carbon and waste.
What is the Harbour Hub?
The outreach hub is using a new concept of bringing together professionals from a range of services, with the aim of working collectively for positive outcomes with young people and their families.
It has a large games room with air hockey, a pool table, and a donated games console, where children and their practitioners can focus on therapeutic conversations through play.
Detective Superintendent Stewart Dipple from Dorset Police said:
“It’s inspiring to see the Harbour project, and what a great facility it is and so beautifully decorated as a home offering a safe haven. For children going through a difficult and challenging time, it provides an oasis of care and comfort.”
Further properties across Dorset are being developed to provide accommodation for children in care and care leavers, while allowing them to be close to their loved ones.