Family Hubs in Middlesbrough are set to be refurbished in a positive move that “will benefit the whole town”.
Middlesbrough’s Family Hubs support children and their families to improve early years outcomes, particularly focusing on the critical 1001 days from conception up to two-years-old.
Services are provided by Middlesbrough Council staff and partners who offer support on subjects ranging from infant feeding to improving mental health, delivered from six locations which make it convenient for families wherever they live.
Now, three of the six hub buildings – in Park End, Thorntree and West Middlesbrough, based in Whinney Banks – are set to be refurbished so they can continue to offer a high-quality service to residents.
Staff have stressed services will not stop when two of the sites close in January for work to begin.
Deputy Mayor Philippa Storey said: “Being a new parent can be very isolating and our Family Hubs provide a vital service in Middlesbrough.
“I am looking forward to seeing how the redesigned hubs can provide even more support for young people, parents and families and benefit the whole town.
“It’s important that everyone who uses our hubs understands that services will not stop while work to improve the hubs is ongoing. The incredible support on offer will continue throughout the refurbishment process.”
The improvements, which use £1.1m of Government funding, will see the West Middlesbrough and Park End Hubs close to the public from January.
Work at West Middlesbrough will see a full training kitchen installed to allow residents to improve their cooking skills and learn to cook on a budget – with the hub likely to reopen after Easter.
The Park End Hub will see the biggest transformation with the main layout altered to allow more services to use the hub at the same time. It will be closed until May.
At Thorntree, which will not need to close to the public, internal rooms and the main reception area will be reconfigured along with work to install an external footpath, lights and drainage to improve access for users.
While work is ongoing services could be delivered virtually or from a different hub, with staff relocated where necessary.
The North Ormesby Family Hub will open as a full hub rather than an outreach site while work is ongoing, while Abingdon and Hemlington will remain open as normal.
Anyone with questions about a Family Hub set to undergo refurbishment can call 01642 579120.
