Families in Twerton will soon be able to access a range of health, education and support services under one roof with the opening of Bath and North East Somerset’s first Best Start Family Hub.
The new hub opens on Thursday 10 September and has been developed with the local community to provide a welcoming place where families can find information, advice and support. It will bring together health services, education providers, community groups and other support organisations, making it easier for families to find the help they need in one place.
The Best Start Family Hub is part of the national Best Start in Life programme, which aims to make sure children and families can access support as early as possible.
Families, schools, voluntary organisations and other local partners have helped develop the Twerton hub, which will support families from pregnancy through childhood and into adulthood.
The Twerton facility is the first Best Start Family Hub to open in Bath and North East Somerset, with plans for more across the area.
Councillor Paul May, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said, “Experiences during pregnancy and the early years play an important role in shaping a child’s future. However, families can sometimes face challenges such as financial pressures, relationship difficulties, mental health concerns or housing issues, which can make it harder to access support when it is needed.
“Our first Best Start Family Hub in Twerton is a friendly and welcoming place where any family can get information, advice and support. Plans are under way to expand our current children’s centres in Bath and North East Somerset to become Best Start Family Hubs over the coming months, helping families access local services in their communities.”
Kate Morton, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice B&NES, added, “As a local charity and partner organisation working across Bath and North East Somerset, we are delighted to be involved in this important service. Having advice and support available within local communities will make a real difference to families, and we look forward to welcoming people to the hub.”
Supporting families across B&NES
Across Bath and North East Somerset, the Best Start in Life programme aims to bring local services together through Family Hubs, making it easier for families to access support.
It will also focus on improving access to high-quality early education and childcare, particularly for children facing disadvantage or with additional needs, as well as strengthening early years services so extra help can be provided as early as possible.
More information about Best Start in Life in B&NES is available on the B&NES Live Well website.
