Family hubs launching in Wiltshire this April
Families, children and young people will be able to access support both face to face and online as Family Hubs launch in Wiltshire this April.
The new model, which starts from 2 April, will give greater local community support and guidance for families and young people aged from 0 to 19, extending to 25 years for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Wiltshire Council has awarded the £3m contract to Spurgeons to provide new family hubs in communities throughout the county.
There will be three main hubs operating at County Hall in Trowbridge, Monkton Park in Chippenham and Five Rivers in Salisbury. Alongside this, there will be regular family hub support available at advertised times at "navigator locations" in a host of community venues around the county, including libraries and leisure centres.
There will also be a digital platform that can be accessed on phones, tablets or computers, offering information, support, and courses to give children, young people and families the help and guidance they need to thrive.
Each hub will have its own team of navigators. They will have a visible presence in the community to ensure they are on hand to offer help to families that need it, and to signpost and create links to other agencies, such as local schools and early years providers.
There will be an online webinar on 29 April from 6pm so people can ask questions and find out more about the face to face and online offer.
Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: We have listened to our families and young people, and they have told us they want to access support, classes and advice in a way that best suits them. This may be a look for information online or having that opportunity to talk face to face with someone.
Our Family Hubs model offers this. There will be opportunities for face-to-face support from trained, skilled staff and a variety of groups, courses, and classes on offer. There will also be that 24/7 aspect, with the digital platform offering advice and support any time.
This approach aligns with our Business Plan, which aims to empower people to lead enriched lives and to provide children with the best start in life. I'm looking forward to visiting our hubs and finding out first-hand from families and young people the value of this new approach in Wiltshire.
Ian Soars, Chief Executive of Spurgeons, said: Spurgeons are committed to making the family hub vision a reality in Wiltshire. We are partnering with Wiltshire Council and other community providers, ensuring we continue to provide the high quality, compassionate support that the children and families of Wiltshire deserve.
The list of locations is as follows.
Main Hubs:
- County Hall, Trowbridge
- Monkton Park, Chippenham 
- Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre, Salisbury
Initial Navigator Locations:
- Amesbury Library
- Bradford on Avon Library
- Bulford: The Beeches
- Calne Library
- Chippenham Monkton Park and Library
- Corsham - Springfield Campus
- Cricklade Leisure Centre
- Devizes Library
- Downton Library
- Malmesbury Library
- Marlborough Library
- Melksham Community Campus
- Mere School/Town Council, library
- Pewsey The Vale Community Campus
- Royal Wootton Bassett library
- Salisbury Library and Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre
- Tisbury Nadder Centre
- Tidworth Leisure Centre
- Trowbridge Library
- Warminster Library
- Westbury Community Project Hub
Courses and groups will be facilitated in:
- Libraries
- Leisure centres
- Campuses
- Schools
- Community buildings
To find out more about Spurgeons, people should go to Spurgeons (opens new window).