Family hub opens in Cornish town

The family hub is Cornwall's 23rd

A new family hub has opened as part of Cornwall's "trailblazing" scheme to support parents, carers and children, the council has said.

The Penzance hub is the county's 23rd, offering child and family services up to 19 years, or up to 25 years for young adults with additional needs.

Cornwall Council said it was a "one stop shop" for families.

Staff offer help including parenting advice, feeding guidance and mental health support, it said.

The hubs also bring together wider services such as advice on getting into work, relationship building and stop smoking services, the council added.

'Helping hand'

Councillor Barbara Ellenbroek, cabinet members for children and families, said: "We all know that children bring a huge amount of joy to our lives but having a family can also be really tough and occasionally all parents and carers need a helping hand."

She said family hubs bring services together, allowing easy access for families.

"This can be anything from support with breast feeding and mental health to guidance on how to give children a head start on their learning," she added.

The launch of the new hub in St John's Hall, across the library's ground floor, comes after Cornwall was chosen as a national "trailblazer" to lead the way in offering support to parents, carers and children through its network of family hubs, the council said.

Ben Davies, service director for children and family services at Cornwall Council, described the Penznce hub as a "huge asset for the town".

"We have some brilliant practitioners who are transforming children's lives across Cornwall and I am extremely proud of the work they are doing," he added.

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