New Digital Family Hub launches to support families in Stoke-on-Trent

Published: Monday, 12th February 2024

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has launched its new Digital Family Hub to provide even more support to families in the city.

The website complements the city council’s rollout of the Department for Education (DfE) funded Family Hubs in the city, with hubs currently open in Bentilee and Normacot (Westfield Family Hub) and two more sites set to launch this year, at Thomas Boughey (Shelton) and Stoke North (Chell Heath) Children’s Centres.

Family Hubs provide a single point to access support from a range of services, with a blended offer of digital and physical information and guidance to ensure as many families as possible can access activities and advice on offer in Family Hubs.

The Digital Family Hub provides advice and information on:

  • Mental and physical health
  • Food and nutrition
  • Early help
  • Communication and language development
  • Parenting groups and support
  • Education
  • Parental mental health

Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for children’s services said: “I’m really pleased that the Digital Family Hub has launched to support families with young children.

“There is already lots of face-to-face support on offer in the city with the Family Hubs programme still expanding but we also know that not everyone can, or wants to, access support in person so this on-line resource is a fantastic addition to our Family Hubs offer.

“We know that there are over 1,000 children in care in the city and we want this to be lower. The Digital Family Hub is part of the vital early intervention work we’re doing to allow children to remain safely with their families and reduce the number of children in care.

“But Family Hubs are also for all families and we’re working to help families in a joined-up way to improve outcomes for every child across the city. We want local families to feel a sense of ownership of our Family Hubs and to help shape and develop the offer. If you’ve got children, please go and have a look at the site, see what’s on offer and let us know what you think.”

Residents can access the Digital Family Hub at https://familyhub.stoke.gov.uk/ and follow the Family Hubs team on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stokefamilyhubs.

The website complements the city council’s rollout of the Department for Education (DfE) funded Family Hubs in the city, with hubs currently open in Bentilee and Normacot (Westfield Family Hub) and two more sites set to launch this year, at Thomas Boughey (Shelton) and Stoke North (Chell Heath) Children’s Centres.

Family Hubs provide a single point to access support from a range of services, with a blended offer of digital and physical information and guidance to ensure as many families as possible can access activities and advice on offer in Family Hubs.

The Digital Family Hub provides advice and information on:

  • Mental and physical health
  • Food and nutrition
  • Early help
  • Communication and language development
  • Parenting groups and support
  • Education
  • Parental mental health

Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for children’s services said: “I’m really pleased that the Digital Family Hub has launched to support families with young children.

“There is already lots of face-to-face support on offer in the city with the Family Hubs programme still expanding but we also know that not everyone can, or wants to, access support in person so this on-line resource is a fantastic addition to our Family Hubs offer.

“We know that there are over 1,000 children in care in the city and we want this to be lower. The Digital Family Hub is part of the vital early intervention work we’re doing to allow children to remain safely with their families and reduce the number of children in care.

“But Family Hubs are also for all families and we’re working to help families in a joined-up way to improve outcomes for every child across the city. We want local families to feel a sense of ownership of our Family Hubs and to help shape and develop the offer. If you’ve got children, please go and have a look at the site, see what’s on offer and let us know what you think.”

Residents can access the Digital Family Hub at https://familyhub.stoke.gov.uk/ and follow the Family Hubs team on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stokefamilyhubs.