Family hubs launching in Wiltshire this April

The new model, which starts from Tuesday 2 April, will give greater local community support and guidance for families and young people aged 0-19, extending to 25 years for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Wiltshire Council has awarded the £3m contract to children's charity Spurgeons to provide new Family hubs in communities throughout the county.

There will be three main hubs operating at County Hall in Trowbridge, Monkton Park in Chippenham and Five Rivers in Salisbury. Alongside this, there will be regular Family Hub support available in a host of community venues around the county, including libraries and leisure centres.

There will also be a digital platform that can be accessed on phones, tablets or computers, offering information, support, and courses to give children, young people and families the help and guidance they need to thrive.

Each Hub will have its own team of Navigators. They will have a visible presence in the community to ensure they are on hand to offer help to families that need it, and to signpost and create links to other agencies, such as local schools and early years providers.

Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: 

"We have listened to our families and young people, and they have told us they want to access support, classes and advice in a way that best suits them. This may be a look for information online or having that opportunity to talk face to face with someone.

"Our Family Hubs model offers this. There will be opportunities for face-to-face support from trained, skilled staff and a variety of groups, courses, and classes on offer. There will also be that 24/7 aspect, with the digital platform offering advice and support any time.

"This approach aligns with our Business Plan, which aims to empower people to lead enriched lives and to provide children with the best start in life. I'm looking forward to visiting our hubs and finding out first-hand from families and young people the value of this new approach in Wiltshire."

Ian Soars, Chief Executive of Spurgeons, said: 

"Spurgeons are committed to making the Family Hub vision a reality in Wiltshire. We are partnering with Wiltshire Council and other community providers, ensuring we continue to provide the high quality, compassionate support that the children and families of Wiltshire deserve." 

The list of locations is as follows.

Main Hubs:

• County Hall, Trowbridge
• Monkton Park, Chippenham 
• Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre, Salisbury

Initial Navigator locations: 

• Amesbury Library 
• Bradford on Avon Library 
• Bulford - The Beeches
• Calne Library 
• Chippenham - Monkton Park and Library 
• Corsham - Springfield Campus 
• Cricklade Leisure Centre 
• Devizes Library 
• Downton Library 
• Malmesbury Library 
• Marlborough Library 
• Melksham Community Campus 
• Mere School, Town Council, library 
• Pewsey - The Vale Community Campus 
• Royal Wootton Bassett library 
• Salisbury Library and Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre 
• Tisbury - Nadder Centre 
• Tidworth Leisure Centre 
• Trowbridge Library
• Warminster Library 
• Westbury Community Project Hub 

Courses and groups will be facilitated in: 

• Libraries 
• Leisure centres 
• Campuses 
• Schools 
• Community buildings