More families in Peterborough are set to receive vital support following confirmation that the successful Family Hubs scheme will continue to operate.
Peterborough City Council has received a total of £1.3 million from central government to continue running the hubs throughout 2025/26, enabling the authority to build on the success of the initiative which has achieved several notable milestones since launching in 2023.
The council currently runs four Family Hubs, which provide high-quality support for families with children aged 0-19 or from pregnancy up to age 25 for young people with special educational needs (SEND), offering parenting and family support, access to financial advice and learning through play sessions.
Councillor Katy Cole, Peterborough City Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve received funding to continue running the successful Family Hubs scheme which is playing a key role in improving outcomes for children across Peterborough.
“Our Family Hubs are making a significant impact for children, young people and their families by offering a wide range of support services and activities. The extended funding means we can support even more families, build on the remarkable achievements of the scheme and look to open more hubs this year.
“By supporting families at the earliest opportunity and delivering services that help families create supportive, stable environments for their children, the Hubs are having a hugely positive impact on many people’s lives across Peterborough.
“I also want to thank our partners who work so hard alongside us and have helped make Family Hubs valued parts of our communities. I’m really looking forward to seeing these successful partnerships continue, enabling us to carry on delivering this vital support.”
Since launching, the scheme has achieved a 139 per cent increase in footfall as a result of more services being provided and increased awareness. Staff delivered almost 25,000 face-to-face sessions in 2023-24, an increase of 17.5 per cent on the previous year.
The uptake of Healthy Start vouchers increased from 25.6 per cent in 2022 to 77 per cent in 2024 as a result of Family Hubs staff checking families’ eligibility and helping them to sign up. This enables families in need to buy vitamins, milk, fruit and other healthy food.
Eighty per cent of mothers who participated in a perinatal mental health support session reported improved mood scores.
A total of 31 organisations deliver support through our Family Hubs, and 434 professionals and volunteers have accessed training via our workforce development programme to help them support families more effectively.
For more information about Family Hubs visit here.