A new Family Hub has officially opened in Thamesmead, bringing a range of services and assistance for children, young people and families closer to home.
The Lakeside Family Hub, based at Lakeside Medical Centre, was officially opened today, Monday, 7 September, becoming the second Family Hub to open in the Borough following the successful launch of the Erith Family Hub. It gives families in Thamesmead a local place to find advice, activities and practical help in one location, making it easier to get the right help at the right time, close to home.
The new hub forms part of the Families First Programme and Future Bexley Programme and provides a welcoming, accessible space where local families can access Early Help services, advice, activities and guidance from a range of organisations and professionals.
Services available through the hub include parenting programmes, baby and toddler activities, infant feeding advice, school readiness guidance and access to professionals who can help families navigate different services and get the advice and assistance they need.
Councillor Caroline Newton - Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate Services & Education, said:
Family life is incredibly rewarding, but there are times when every family needs a helping hand. Family Hubs provide welcoming spaces where parents and carers can access support early, build relationships and connect with their local community.The opening of Lakeside Family Hub is another important step in our commitment to giving children the best possible start in life and ensuring families receive the support they need, when they need it. It is also an important part of our wider Best Start in Life programme, bringing services and partners together to help children develop, thrive and be ready for school.I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make this hub a reality. Most importantly, I look forward to seeing local families make use of the hub and helping to shape its future."
Councillor Chris Taylor - Cabinet Member for Children & Families, said:
Today marks an important moment for families in Thamesmead. The Lakeside Family Hub brings a range of services together in one welcoming place, making it easier for families to get advice, guidance and practical help when they need it.
Being based at Lakeside Medical Centre means these services are right on the doorstep of local families, in a place that many already know and trust.
I am proud to see this investment in Thamesmead and proud that local families now have a place close to home where they can find information, take part in activities and get help with the challenges they may face as their children grow. I hope the hub becomes a valued resource for families across Thamesmead for many years to come.".
The opening event brought together local families, Council representatives, NHS colleagues, voluntary organisations, community partners and staff who will be delivering services through the hub.
For families in Thamesmead, the hub provides a convenient first point of contact when they need advice or guidance, whether they are looking for help with parenting, their child’s development, preparing for school, feeding their baby, or simply want to meet other local parents and families.
By bringing different services together in one familiar location, the hub aims to make it easier for families to find the right help without having to navigate services on their own.
The opening of Lakeside Family Hub builds on the success of the Borough’s first Family Hub in Erith and represents a further investment in providing early help and improving outcomes for children, young people and families across the Borough.