Twelve months of One Stockport Family Hubs making a difference

Family Hubs are a great example of our One Stockport Live Well way of delivering help and support to make it easier for our local communities to help themselves, their families, and those they care for in places close to them.

There are now 7 Family Hubs networks launched across Stockport, 3 Family Hubs buildings, and 24 Family Hubs bridge sites, including Stockport libraries, Life Leisure Hubs and Stockport Homes. Family Hubs support children and young people from pre-birth up to age 19, or 25 for young adults with special needs.

Family Hubs bring together existing early help and community offers within a neighbourhood to create open access to information, help and support for children, young people and families. Support covers all aspects of family life, from early help with infants to support with teenagers and school leavers, as well as broader issues such as cost of living, debt and parental mental health.

Cllr Meikle, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, says: “We recognise that families need support from different services and groups as their children grow, and it can be difficult for them to know where to look for information. So by bringing together all the support available into friendly, convenient places in local communities, there is more chance they can find the help they need, and sooner, before their needs escalate. Thanks to our partners and community groups in Stockport, children, young people and their families can now make the most of all the information and services available.”

Family Hubs are all about connections and local knowledge and creating networks of joined-up support. This is provided by council, NHS and wider partners including the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector working together as one team to support people where they feel most comfortable.

For a parent fleeing domestic abuse, this was her local library, where she felt comfortable speaking to Family Hubs trained library staff who, thanks to their Orange Umbrella connections, worked closely with Stockport Homes and others to get wrap-around support there and then.

Another parent, asked about the Family Hubs help they received to support their child's behaviour and emotions, said: "You have learnt [sic] me and my family so much and I feel like myself and my children are really finding our feet and we are now working together as a family. When I first reached out for help, I really felt my life getting extremely difficult and I just couldn't seem to cope very well. With your help I am feeling a lot more in control and confident with my parenting strategies. You have helped me so much and I'm so grateful for what we have achieved."

Cllr Meikle continues: “One Stockport Family Hubs are a great example of our One Stockport Live Well approach, focussing on connected communities and prioritising putting people at the heart of what we do. We understand that even the smallest new connection can make a big difference in a family's life, leading to a significant positive impact.”

Families can also find the information they need online 24/7. The Family Hubs website has received over 13,000 visits since launch, and almost two hundred families have been supported through the online enquiry pathway, with inquiries that vary from parenting to housing and debt. In a recent survey, parents praised the online resources, stating: “The online resources have been great, allowing me to help and support my child with their mental health and wellbeing.”

One Stockport Family Hubs support is available in different ways:

• Visit a Family Hubs building at Westmorland Drive, Brinnington, Garners Lane, Adswood or Abingdon Road, Reddish. All are open to families from across Stockport.
• You can access Family Hubs support in your community from friendly staff who know local families and have received Family Hubs training. Community partners in the Family Hubs network include local libraries, Life Leisure Hubs and now also Stockport Homes.
• Families across Stockport can also use the online Family Hub anytime, any day, to find information, help and support.