New hub aims to provide support for families

A new centre providing professional support for families in a South Yorkshire town has officially been opened.

The council-funded Family Hub, launched on Wednesday, is based on Penistone’s High Street, with health visitors, early help workers and mental health specialists among those on hand for advice.

Its aim was to provide early help for families such as supporting children to be ready for school, helping parents improve their skills and helping them access training, education, and job opportunities, Barnsley Council said.

Councillor Trevor Cave said he hoped as many families as possible in the community would take advantage of the service to “get the help and support they need”.

He said: "I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the teams across all the services that have helped to launch the Hub – thanks to your work, our young children and families will get a lot of benefit from the support we offer here."

The council would continue to work with partners in health and other groups who worked with families "to make sure our children get the very best start in life on their journey into young adulthood here in Barnsley", he added.

On its launch day, families met the people who would be offering support and were also offered an array of activities to get involved in, including pencil case decorating, badge making and a gaming tent.

The council said that as well as the centre itself, people would also be able to access a wide range of services and activities online using a Virtual Family Hub, and through Family Hubs in the Community pop-up services at venues such as libraries, youth centres, schools and faith buildings.

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