Mother praises family hub for 'incredible' support

Anna said being able to talk to someone at the family hub has helped her anxiety

A mother said the support she received from a city's free family hub has made an "incredible" difference to her and her child.

Four family hubs in Peterborough provide support for families with children from birth to age 19, offering parenting and family support, access to financial advice and learning through play sessions.

Peterborough City Council has received a total of £1.3m from central government to continue running the hubs until April 2026.

Anna, from Peterborough, who has been visiting the hub in Welland for more than a year, said: " [Without the hub] I wouldn't be able to pay for the groups we come to. By coming here my daughter is growing every day."

She added: "It's about being able to go somewhere and talk to someone, to get out of the house.

"I did have anxiety and it has helped me to be better. To be brave."

Staff at the family hubs in Peterborough delivered about 25,000 face-to-face sessions last year, an increase of 17.5 per cent on the previous year.

Father-of-five Mark Bowering said it was important the family hubs remain free

Mark Bowering, from Peterborough, has five children of different ages and attends the parenting classes at one the city's family hubs.

He said it was important that the service remains free.

"Nowadays if people say something is going to cost you £10 or £20 people might say, 'I've got to buy food' or whatever, and it probably wouldn't happen.

"Without these courses, I don't think [my] children would grow so well."

Chris says coming to the family hub has improved his grandson, Hector's, confidence

Tina and Chris have been bringing their grandson Hector to the hub for about two years.

Chris said: "It's really helped his social skills, interacting with other children, learning how to share.

"Some parents here aren't well off and can't afford to take them to other places.

"This place is a real plus for all the parents in the area, really beneficial."

Katy Cole says the funding means the family hubs can support even more families

Katy Cole, the cabinet member for children's services at Peterborough City Council, 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."

A spokesperson from the Department for Education said: "We're strengthening family services through continued investment in the family hubs and Start for Life programmes, which provide important support for families and babies.

"The first phase of the spending review delivers on the government's ambition to give all children the best start in life by increasing spending in England on early years and family services to over £8bn in 2025-26."