Family Hubs set to launch across Wokingham Borough

Families across Wokingham Borough are being invited to celebrate the launch of six Best Start Family Hubs, bringing together support, advice and activities for children, young people and parents under one roof.

The hubs form part of the borough's growing Family Hubs network, helping families to access support from pregnancy through to early adulthood in a friendly and inclusive setting.

They bring together a wide range of services in one place, including health visiting, parent support programmes, services for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), early years activities, child health services and community groups.

Support is available for children, young people and their families up to the age of 18, or up to 25 for young people with SEND.

With some opening at the end of October and others following early next month, each hub will host a free community event featuring refreshments and family-friendly activities, with fun for all ages. Some of the planned activities are dependent on good weather.

Families attending the launch events will have the opportunity to explore their local hub, meet staff and partner organisations, discover available services and find out how the hubs can support them at every stage of family life.

Join us at our launch events

Residents are invited to attend their local launch event:

• Ambleside Family Hub: Ambleside Close, Woodley (RG5 4JJ), Tuesday 27 October, 11am to 3pm. There will be a gaming bus, circus skills, baby play and a dedicated chill-out space for older children.
• Starlings Family Hub: Colleton Drive, Twyford (RG10 0AX), Wednesday 28 October, 11am to 3pm. Enjoy football, board games, glitter tattoos and family activities.
• Brambles Family Hub: Budges Gardens, Wokingham (RG40 1PX), Thursday 29 October, 11am to 3pm. There will be a bouncy castle, glitter tattoos, a treasure hunt and sign language Storytime.
• The Red Kite Family Hub: Chestnut Crescent, Shinfield (RG2 9EJ), Friday 30 October, 11am to 3pm. Get your face painted, take part in a pumpkin hunt and enjoy sensory play, as well as football activities thanks to Reading Football Club Community Trust.
• Winnersh Family Hub: Rainbow Park, Winnersh (RG41 5SG), Tuesday 3 November, 9am to 1pm. We’ll have outdoor play and messy play, as well as refreshments and cake.
• Finchampstead Family Hub: FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North, Finchampstead (RG40 4ES), Saturday 7 November, 10am to 1pm. We’ll have sports activities and autumn-themed crafting.

Connecting families with help more easily

Cllr Prue Bray, executive member for children’s services, said: “Every family needs support at different points in their lives and our Best Start Family Hubs are designed to be welcoming places where families can find help, advice, activities and opportunities to connect with others.

“These launch events are a great chance to celebrate the new network of hubs, meet the people behind them and discover the wide range of services available for children, young people and parents across the borough.

“We look forward to welcoming families through the doors and helping them make the most of everything their local Family Hub can offer.”

What to expect from your local hub

Wokingham Borough Council is relaunching former children's centres as Best Start Family Hubs, bringing local health, play and family support services together under one roof.

Residents can register for free on the council’s website. This is available to expectant parents and families, from pregnancy through to age 18, or up to 25 for young people with SEND. If they haven’t had chance to complete a form before attending, they can fill one out when they visit their local hub for the first time.

Through the hubs, families can take part in activities and drop-in sessions, alongside a range of health services, including health visiting, antenatal support and infant feeding advice. 

Access also provides guidance on child development, mental health, speech and language, childcare funding and cost-of-living support.

The evolution of support for families

Best Start Family Hubs form part of a programme from the Department for Education. 

The Family Hub model was first launched in 2021 and the Government is now expanding the approach more widely. 

The launch events mark the next stage in the evolution of the borough's children's centres. Rather than focusing primarily on early years provision, the Family Hub model brings together a wider range of services and support for children, young people and families in one connected network.

For more information about Family Hubs and the support available, visit the council's website or speak to staff at your local hub.