Family and youth hubs opening across East Sussex

East Sussex was one of 75 locations across England and Wales to receive a share of £301.75 million from the government’s ‘Family Hubs and Start for Life’ programme.

The aim is to create a ‘one-stop shop’ where families will be able to access support and information on a wide range of issues including parenting, mental health, housing, benefits and finances and employability.

A public consultation will run until April 11 to tell East Sussex County Council what residents want from the hubs.

Councillor Bob Bowdler, the county council’s lead member for families and children, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to secure funding for family hubs which will allow all families to access support on a wide range of issues, get involved in activities and meet other families from the community.

“This project gives us a great opportunity to bring a range of support and services under one roof, making it easier for families to access help and make a positive difference to parents, carers and their children.

“It is important that the new family hubs offer the right support for our residents, and I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in our consultation and help us shape the new service.”Matt Buttery, CEO of Triple P positive parenting programme, said: “The family hub rollout in East Sussex will be hugely significant for parents and carers across the county. The uncertainty and turbulence of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis has had an impact on children’s social, emotional and academic development.

“Getting these East Sussex hubs up and running as soon as possible is a crucial first step in beginning to alleviate pressure on parents. Triple P’s own research shows that 75 per cent of parents still feel there is a stigma around asking for help. Breaking that stigma is crucial if family hubs are to be a success in East Sussex.

“These hubs will provide a judgement-free space for parents to get additional help and improve outcomes for babies through to teens. The use of evidence-based parenting programmes can play an integral role in supporting those outcomes. Providing structured support for parents can help to rebuild that emotional resilience and wellbeing that is so important to children.

“We look forward to seeing the results of the consultation, and continuing to work across the county to ensure parents can use accessible parenting programmes that are proven to have a positive impact on parent-child relationships.”

Take part in the consultation

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