Adapted bus to visit remote areas to help families

The bus will be an offshoot of the Family Hub on the Harbour which opened in Whitehaven in April

A specially adapted bus offering advice and information is to be used to reach families in more rural areas of Cumbria.

The Hub2U was commissioned by Cumberland Council after the authority opened its Family Hub on the Harbour in Whitehaven in April.

The council said the hubs were a place where children, young people and families could get help for issues like staying safe, drug use and mental and physical health.

Emma Williamson from Cumberland Council said: "Whitehaven’s Family Hub on the Harbour was just the beginning of ensuring that the right help is available at the right time."

'Bringing services closer'

As well as visiting rural villages, Cumberland Council said Hub2U would also go to schools to do workshops and programmes.

The vehicle was donated by bus operator Stagecoach and the refit paid for by a number of organisations, including the nuclear site Sellafield's social impact programme.

Martin Birch, also from Cumberland Council, said the bus was about "bringing services closer to where they are needed".

He said: "We are working with the community to listen to the needs of families and try to provide what really matters to them."

The council also plans to open more Family Hubs in other locations across Cumbria.