Hampshire County Council has confirmed the venues for the next three hubs launching later this year, as well as five ‘network’ sites which will extend the work of the main hubs out to other parts of each community. A sixth network site for the Alton area, to be based in nearby Bordon, will be confirmed in due course.
It follows the successful launch of the County Council’s first hub in Leigh Park Library in March.
The next confirmed venues set to launch hubs this year are:
Gosport
- Alver Valley Family Centre – main hub
- Gosport Discovery Centre – network site
- King’s Academies Gosport Community Hub – network site
- Bridgemary Library – network site
Andover
- Spring Meadow Children’s Centre – main hub
- Andover Library – network site
Alton
- Bushy Leaze Children and Families Centre – main hub
- Alton Library – network site
- Bordon network site – to be confirmed
Welcoming the news, Councillor Roz Chadd, Hampshire County Council’s Cabinet Lead Member for Children’s Services, said: “While parenting certainly doesn’t come with a manual, having the right support around you – when and where you need it – can make a significant difference. This is an exciting step and will bring valuable services much closer together, helping families to access joined-up support from day one and in the heart of their local communities.”
In total, the County Council is set to roll out around 30 hubs and network sites, as part of a new Government strategy to help every child get the best start in life and develop the skills needed to be fully ready for school.
Based in areas with the highest levels of deprivation and where there is the greatest need, hubs will provide a range of friendly, practical support from across health, education, social care, and the voluntary sector – from an early stage and in a welcoming, inclusive and accessible place. Services will aim to support children’s early development, tackle inequality and help families to face life’s challenges with greater resilience. The help on offer will include parenting programmes, early learning advice, health visiting, infant feeding support, and signposting to other services in the wider local area.
The hubs will focus on providing support as early as possible, allowing children’s and families’ needs to be identified and met much sooner. This aims to greatly improve their longer-term outcomes and reduce the need for more intensive or costly support in the future.
Today’s announcement follows significant engagement with communities in Gosport, Andover and Alton, to help identify the most suitable venues in each area.
Councillor Chadd added: “We know that every community is different and that it is essential to shape the offer in each hub, by listening carefully to local parents, carers and key stakeholders who undoubtedly know their communities best. That’s why we have been working closely with both residents and partners including schools, early years providers, and community, faith and voluntary organisations. As we move towards opening the hubs later this year, we will continue to work side by side with the local communities to understand their individual needs and ensure that each hub is developed with these fully in mind.”
Opening dates for each of the three hubs and their linked network sites will be confirmed in the coming months, alongside details of the support available in each location.
Visit the County Council’s website for more information about Hampshire’s Best Start in Life offer.