Families across Staffordshire Moorlands are benefiting from a wide range of support available through the area’s Family Hub, with services reaching communities from Biddulph to Cheadle and Leek to Warslow.
Based on Albert Street in Biddulph, the Family Hub acts as a central base, but thanks to a dedicated network of partners and community groups, support is delivered directly into local communities, making it easier for families to access the help they need close to home.
The hub offers a range of services, including midwifery appointments, early years sessions, school nurse clinics, SEND support and a weekly Youth Hub.
Across the district, community-led provision also plays a key role, with volunteer-run groups such as Little Doves Playgroup in Waterhouses, a baby and toddler group in Kingsley Holt, and a breastfeeding support group in Leek.
Nick Lakin, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Staffordshire County Council, said:
“Supporting children, young people and families to thrive is a key priority for us, and our Family Hubs are playing a vital role in making that happen across the Staffordshire Moorlands.
“It’s fantastic to see such a wide range of services being delivered locally, helping parents feel confident, supported and connected within their communities. And, by working closely with partners and volunteers, we can make sure families get the right support, in the right place, at the right time.”
Hub services continue to evolve, with new and creative ways to engage families. A recently hosted baby shower event brought together midwives, infant feeding specialists and baby yoga practitioners to offer practical advice in a welcoming setting. New partnerships in Cheadle to develop a health, wellbeing and youth hub, alongside outreach work in rural schools are also being developed.
Families of children with additional needs are supported every other Wednesday through regular sessions with Caudwell Children, while creative activities are delivered through partnerships with organisations such as Outside Arts and involvement in the Festival of Brilliant.
Donna Wickes of Caudwell Children said:
“Families often attend and can be very overwhelmed when discussing some of the struggles that they are experiencing. The warmth and compassion from staff at the hub are clear to see. Everyone we work with is passionate about getting the right level of support to any family that walks through the door.”
Further information on Staffordshire’s Family Hubs and the support available is on the Staffordshire Family Hubs webpage.
