The ribbon has official been cut on three new facilities in Runcorn designed to support families with children.

The Runcorn family hubs at Brookvale, Halton Lodge and Windmill Hill – previously known as children’s centres - are designed to support families with children and young people aged 0-19, or up to 25 years with special educational needs and disabilities.

Halton was one of 75 local authorities to receive a share of a £301m from the Government to establish family hubs and the Start for Life programme.

In Halton, the Start for Life programme includes services and sessions supporting:

  • Early language development.
  • Infant-feeding advice and specialist breastfeeding support.
  • Parent/infant relationships and perinatal mental health.
  • Parenting support.

The sessions will compliment services like midwife appointments and health visitor drop ins.

The unveiling of the Runcorn hubs was carried out by the Mayor of Halton, Cllr Val Hill together with local mum Heather Roberts and her daughter Aurora. More than 300 families also went along to find out what was on offer.

Cllr Tom McInerney, Halton's executive board member for children and young people, said: "In a time when families are facing unprecedented difficulties to make ends meet, and trying to navigate their way through a mass of information and service directories to find what they need, can make life really challenging.

"Having a place like this family hub where services from a range of organisations can be found in one place is to be welcomed and celebrated.”

Family Hubs have also been opened in Widnes and all will eventually deliver a range of other services and sessions such as:

  • Activities for children aged 0-5.
  • Debt and welfare advice.
  • Domestic abuse support.
  • Midwifery and health visiting.
  • Housing advice.
  • Family support.
  • Mental health services.
  • Nutrition and weight management.
  • Services for children who have or may have special educational needs an disabilities (SEND) and their families.
  • Supporting parent relationships
  • Youth services (universal and targeted).

Local health services are also available from family hubs, so parents-to-be can navigate pregnancy and get support.

Karen Worthington, associate director of Children’s Services from Bridgewater Community Healthcare, NHS Foundation Trust said:

“Having a baby brings a lot of joy as well as a lot of challenges. Everyone has their ups and downs and getting good advice and information when you need it can really make the difference to families.

"Our ‘start for life’ service is there for your family, right from the very beginning with friendly and knowledgeable staff guiding and supporting you every step of the way."

For more information on Halton’s Family Hubs visit www.haltonfamilyhubs.co.uk or contact familyhubs@halton.gov.uk