Council launches seventh Family Hub

Children, parents and carers enjoyed free fun activities at the vibrant new Hub opened to help families thrive.

The seventh Oldham Family Hub has opened to help give children across the borough the best start in life.

Children, parents and carers enjoyed free fun activities and a special ribbon-cutting was performed by Cllr Shaid Mushtaq, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.

Alexandra is one of seven Family Hubs to have opened since last summer to deliver a wide range of support and activities for families as part of a £3.6 million programme.

The new hub has seen the former Alexandra Children's Centre on Wildmoor Avenue revamped with former office space transformed into vibrant play spaces.

Mum Erika Simpson brought her two-year-old son Reegan Samuels to the launch after being supported with home visits by Oldham Council’s Right Start service.

And Reegan was smiling as he made bubbles in the outdoor play area with Right Start team assistant Lauren Eaton, who has worked with him to help with his communication.

Reegan, who was born with two holes in his heart and only one valve instead of four, is non-verbal and is on the autism assessment pathway.

He had his first open heart surgery when he was just three and a half months old and will need a second when he’s four years old.

Erika was put in touch with Lauren through a speech and language drop-in at Beever Family Hub in St Mary’s, the first Family Hub to open last summer.

She said: “I was panicking because I thought he couldn’t communicate with me.

"But with Lauren’s help I realised he was trying to tell me something but in different ways.  

"Now, in the last two months, he’s babbling.”

And Rozhan Mohamad had a fun afternoon with her two young daughters Loreen and Leen at the Alexandra Hub launch after also enjoying the activities at Beever.

“We have lived in Oldham for two months and we are really pleased with the activities on offer here,” she said.

Family Hubs bring together invaluable resources such as midwifery clinics, breastfeeding support, parenting support, speech and language support and stay and play sessions as one-stop shop to enable families to thrive and overcome challenges.

They offer activities and support for children and young people from conception through to 19-years-old – or 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Cllr Mushtaq said: "The new hub looks amazing and it's great to see so many families here enjoying themselves.

"There's a wonderful vibrant atmosphere here and it's really well-equipped.

"I encourage people to come and use this family friendly Hub to give their children the best start in life.

"There's a whole host of support and activities they can access.

"This is our seventh Hub, which is a big achievement.

"Our Hubs have been a big success to date and we are confident that this will follow their success."

For more information about the Family Hubs and to find your nearest one, visit: https://familyhubs.oldham.gov.uk

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