Crewe Lifestyle Centre becomes Cheshire East’s sixth family hub

On April 3rd, representatives from Cheshire East Council, the NHS, and various community organisations gathered to celebrate the opening of the Crewe Lifestyle Centre Family Hub – now the sixth hub in Cheshire East.

The opening event was a vibrant celebration, featuring arts and crafts, face painting, information stalls, and a magician to entertain families before the ceremonial ribbon cutting.   

Family hubs bring together council, health and community services so families with children and young people aged 0-19 (and up to 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities) can access the right help and support, at the right time in one place.  

They are designed to offer a one-stop solution for families, combining the expertise and guidance of various community groups, organisations, NHS colleagues, and council partners – providing vital support for when families need it most. 

Cheshire East Council was among 12 local authorities awarded a share of the government’s £12 million Family Hubs Transformation Fund in May 2022.   

This funding has enabled the council to expand its services within the family hubs, with 35 partner agencies now delivering essential advice and support to children and families across the borough. This includes support from Citizens Advice, paediatric physio, speech and language, family help drop-ins, Cheshire Buddies, Cheshire and Warrington Carer’s Trust and various clinics for jaundice, ADHD and more. 

Youth groups such as Jigsaw, Utopia and the Care Leavers Hub also deliver their support at the family hubs, offering a safe space for young people to come together.

This is in conjunction with the core services available from the hubs including: 

• Midwifery appointments, health checks, breastfeeding, weaning and nutrition advice, 
• Start for life activities including early years play education and sensory development;
• Support from health visiting and school nurse teams; 
• Tailored and intensive support for families who may need a little extra help;  
• Family help and support for children with disabilities or additional needs; 
• Practical support around finance, housing and supported learning; 
• Youth support services; and 
• Mental health support for children, young people, families and new parents 

Crewe Lifestyle Family Hub now joins Monks Coppenhall, Oak Tree, Congleton, Ash Grove and Oakenclough as the latest hub, offering further support spread across the north and south of Cheshire East.  

Last year the council also extended this deliverance by launching a family hubs digital offer, enabling families to access advice and information at their convenience and at the touch of a button, making it more convenient for those who are unable to access a hub near them. 

Councillor Laura Crane, chair of Cheshire East Council’s children and families committee, said:

“We’re delighted to be extending our family hubs offer in Cheshire East, and have no doubt that Crewe Lifestyle Family Hub will be a popular and well-utilised resource for families. 

“With its modern facilities on-site and town centre location, we’ll be able to offer much-needed support to children, young people and their families in the borough from a range of partner agencies.  

“It was great to see so many members of the public join us to help celebrate the opening, with children and young people of various ages making the most of the activities available throughout the morning.” 

For more information on the council’s family hubs offer, visit the Cheshire East website: 

http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/familyhubs.