New Family Hubs Open in Congleton and Macclesfield

Family hubs are now available in Congleton and Macclesfield, making a total of five altogether in the borough – and more are planned.

Family hubs are now available in Congleton and Macclesfield, providing a friendly environment for advice and support for even more families in the borough. Family hubs provide a joined-up approach to the available services that families may need, across health, education, housing and finance. They also provide a community space for many activities and sessions for expectant parents, new parents and their babies, playgroups for toddlers and clubs and groups for children and young people up to the age of 19, or up to 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The Congleton family hub on New Street, Congleton, adjacent to Daven Primary School, was officially opened last week, following the recent opening of the Ash Grove family hub, near to Ash Grove Academy in Macclesfield.

Children from both Daven Primary School and Ash Grove Academy helped with the opening ceremonies, and Councillor Carol Bulman, Labour Chair of the Children and Families Committee, was there to cut the ribbon at both events. Cllr Bulman said,

‘It was an honour to open the new family hubs at both Congleton and Macclesfield. These two family hubs are the fourth and fifth hubs that have now opened to support Cheshire East families. It’s been a huge amount of hard work from Cheshire East Officers, NHS staff and staff from numerous community organisations to pull everything together. These family hubs will make a real difference to families in Congleton and Macclesfield, connecting them quickly with the support they need. This is especially true at the moment, as the cost-of-living crisis adds pressure to family life.

‘It was particularly delightful to see local children being involved in the opening ceremonies. The children from Daven Primary School sang like angels, and students from Ash Grove Academy gave a superb and thoughtful performance about their commitment to protecting the environment.’

Macclesfield Labour Councillors Brian Puddicombe and Fiona Wilson attended the opening event at Ash Grove family hub.

Cllr Puddicombe said:

‘It’s great news that Macclesfield now has a family hub. The Ash Grove hub will be really useful for parents, children and young people to access information they may need in a safe environment, as well as being a place to meet others and take part in community life. But family hubs are more than their physical buildings – their services are also available in a variety of ways, including online, so that people can access the services they need in the most convenient way for them.’

The other Cheshire East family hubs are:

• the Monks Coppenhall family hub, which is also a SEND centre of excellence, Remer Street, Crewe
• the Oak Tree family hub, Newcastle Street, Crewe
• and the Oakenclough family hub, Coleshaw Drive, Wilmslow.

The family hubs complement the many children’s centres available to support families. Check Cheshire East’s website to find the nearest children’s centre or family hub near you.