Family hubs launched to help struggling parents in the South
They'll help with things like infant feeding, mental health and relationship building
Thousands of families across the South are set to benefit from the introduction of 'family hubs' as part of a £300 million government investment.
The sites have been designed to help people with things like infant feeding, mental health and relationship building.
They are being set up in 75 areas across the country, including Wimborne, Bournemouth, Southampton, Portsmouth and on the Isle of Wight.
Minister for Children, Claire Coutinho, told us that the sites will be a 'one-stop shop' for under 25s:
"They bring together all kinds of services, so they'll things like breastfeeding, midwifery, parent-baby mental health - we know that can be a really difficult time for families.
"They'll have support for those parents themselves, it might be relationship support, it might be those moments of adversity. domestic abuse or addiction, or things like that.
"The idea is to bring everything together in one place so we can respond to the whole family's needs."
Among the authorities to benefit from the scheme is Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, which is getting an £883,000 funding boost.
The hubs will expand on the previous success of children’s centres, which supported children from pre-birth up to five-years-old and will also support young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), their parents and carers.
Councillor Mike White, portfolio holder for Children and Young People at BCP Council, said:
"The current cost of living crisis combined with the effects of the global pandemic have had a huge impact on local children, young people and families.
"We are committed to do all that we can to help. The right support provided at the earliest opportunity can make all the difference.
"The family hub transformation project will enable BCP Council and our partners in health and the community to provide this support and help our next generation to reach their full potential."