Summer holiday events at Family Hubs to support with Cost of Living Crisis

Families in Stoke-on-Trent can enjoy a summer of support and activities at two Family Hub pilot sites to support families through the summer holidays.

Stoke-on-Trent currently has two Family Hub pilot sites at Westfield Children's Centre , Buccleuch Road, Longton and Treehouse Children’s Centre, Dawlish Drive, Bentilee. These are part of the rollout of Family Hubs across the city offering support from conception through to age 19, or up to 25 for children with special education needs and disabilities. The project is being delivered with over £3.5 million of Government funding.

In Bentilee, the city council has partnered with Alpha Academies Trust (who run The Discovery Academy and Maple Court Academy in Bentilee as well as other schools in the city) to provide educational support for children and young people in the local area.

Over the summer holidays, Treehouse Family Hub will be offering activities for children before the full opening in September. Events include:

National Charity, The Bread and Butter Thing will also be onsite, offering affordable meals and food shopping for families who are struggling with the cost of living crisis. The Bread and Butter Thing’s mobile food clubs give access to nutritious and affordable food taken into the heart of local communities.

In addition to the activities at Treehouse Family Hub, Midwife, Speech and Language and Health Visitor Clinics are available at both sites (Westfield and Treehouse) by appointment only. Both sites also have a free soft play area open 9am – 4.30pm.

Councillor Lynn Watkins, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “I’m thrilled to see events like this taking place in local communities, supporting our children and families. Everyone is welcome to attend, and our Family Hubs team are looking forward to welcoming people to our latest Family Hub site.

“We know that the cost of living crisis is one of the main concerns of local people and we’re committed to combatting it in a joined-up way to support people across the city. Family Hubs are a really good example of this as we work not just with Alpha Academies and Bread and Butter, but all our partners in the NHS, voluntary sector and beyond to support families, children and young people who may be struggling.”

Simon French, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Principal of Alpha Academies Trust said: “We hope that the activities provided through the Family Hub at Treehouse Children’s Centre in Bentilee, engage families throughout the summer.

“Activities are provided through our Alpha Academy schools, Maple Court Academy, Eaton Park Academy and The Discovery Academy and charity partner, Thrive at Five, in order to keep the connection with our existing parents and children, and offer additional school readiness opportunities to our new early years foundation stage children from September.

“We are delighted that our partnership with the local authority stretches beyond this summer, and this unique collaboration will provide a Family Hub in Bentilee that provides exactly what our community needs to thrive.”

Residents can contact the two Family Hub pilot sites on: 01782 237500 (Westfield), 01782 233670 (Treehouse) or email familyhubs@stoke.gov.uk.