Families to get new support hubs in UK

According to the BBC, the centres will bring together services for children and young people, including family safeguarding, early years support, and assistance for neurodivergent families. They will operate from existing sites in Whitley, Ranikhet, Sun Street, and Southcote, running weekdays from 08:00 to 18:00 GMT.

The hubs, part of the government’s Best Start in Life strategy, will serve children from birth to 18, and up to 25 for young adults with care experience or special educational needs and disabilities.

Reading Borough Council said the hubs will offer services in partnership with organisations across health, employment, training, housing, and the voluntary sector. In addition to the four main sites, support will also be available at satellite locations across the town.

Both physical and digital services will be provided, with existing programs at the sites continuing alongside the new initiatives. The hubs are a key part of the government’s Families First reforms, designed to improve early support access for families.

Councillor Wendy Griffith, lead councillor for children, described the centers as “safe, welcoming spaces” for families. She said the hubs would cover a wide range of services, including emotional support for new parents, wellbeing programs for young people, housing advice, speech and language support, and stay-and-play activities for children under five.

“We are really looking forward to opening the doors later this month and ensuring every family knows there is somewhere to turn for support, from pregnancy through the teenage years and into early adulthood,” Griffith added.