Former Early Years Adviser and Minister for Start for Life, The Rt Hon Dame Andrea Leadsom DBE, visited Bingley Family Hub to meet with statutory and voluntary service providers who operate at Bingley Family Hub and in the wider Family Hubs network on Wednesday (5 March).

Dame Andrea, who was the Minister for Start for Life until last July and responsible for rolling out the Family Hub and Start for Life programme across England, has recently established The Leadsom Foundation which aims to provide grant funding to charities that provide support services to new families in Family Hubs across England and, eventually, across the UK, alongside commissioning academic research into what works best in the early years sector and advocating around the world for the vital importance of the 1001 Critical Days (pregnancy to age two).

Bingley Family Hub, one of nine family hubs across the city, is a place where children, young people and their families can go when they need support, help and intervention. Hubs support families from pregnancy right up until their child is 19, or up until 25 for SEND cases. Every family is welcome.

The visit included meeting with the charities and voluntary services which provide support at Bingley Family Hub to get a full picture on the support offered, including help for new and expectant dads, new and expectant mothers when breastfeeding and how the local community are encouraged to take up the services on offer.

Denise Williams, Service Manager, Family Hubs for City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “It was fantastic to be able to welcome Dame Leadsom to Bingley Family Hub and highlight the outstanding work being done there by our staff. We were very pleased to show what goes on at the Hub to support local families.

“There were representatives on the day from our support group for fathers, Proud Parents for parents from the LGBTQ community along with First Abide CIC, a mental health and emotional wellbeing support service tailored to support parents and carers at all stages of their parenting journey which delivers interactive parent support workshops designed to empower parents and caregivers in a supportive environment where they can share experiences, learn practical strategies, and build confidence in navigating family life in collaboration with Friendly Faces CIC, a disability services and support organisation dedicated to empowering disabled individuals, families and carers.

“Also present were representatives from Aspiring Futures, an award-winning, women-led social enterprise which helps women to have the confidence, skills and courage to follow their aspirations and I Hear You, a recipient of the Family Hubs Small Grant scheme, which will provide, parenting, health and wellbeing and therapeutic support from April 2025.”

Following the visit, The Rt Hon Dame Andrea Leadsom DBE, said: “It was wonderful to see the huge commitment and passion of the staff and volunteers in the Hub. I met some of the parents with their gorgeous babies and heard how much they value the help and support they receive. I would encourage every Wolverhampton family to visit their local Family Hub!”