Sunday 3rd May 2026

By Bridlington Gold Radio Editor

Bridlington has become the first town in the East Riding to launch a new Family Hub, marking a major shift in how support for children and parents is delivered across the region.

The Hub, based on Shaftesbury Road, officially opened on Friday 1 May with families and staff invited to explore the new services. It is the first of several Children’s Centres that will transition into Family Hubs over the coming months.

 Merlin Joseph, Executive Director of Children, Families and Schools officially opens Bridlington Family Hub, Shaftsbury Road, alongside local families

The new model brings together support from health, education, childcare, family services and the voluntary sector, aiming to give families earlier, faster access to help from pregnancy through to school age and beyond. The approach focuses on early intervention, ensuring children get the best possible start.

Families will be able to access a wide range of services including midwifery, health visiting, infant feeding support, antenatal and postnatal education, speech and language activities, play sessions, and bonding and attachment support. A dedicated SEND practitioner will also be part of the team. To reach rural communities, the council is also expanding community‑based family help through schools, church halls and local voluntary groups.

Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and education, said the new hubs will make a real difference to families across the East Riding. “Family Hubs enable families to access help and support at the earliest possible opportunity, helping children to have the best start in life. We know that when children have a great start it impacts positively on health, wellbeing, and life outcomes,” she said.

She added that no single service can meet every need alone. “Through Family Hubs, families will receive joined‑up, accessible and responsive support. Our community‑based pilot has also proved highly successful in connecting with some of our smaller rural communities.”

Councillor Victoria Aitken, Cabinet Member for children, families and education at Bridlington Family Hub

Parents and carers will also have the chance to shape the future of the service through Parent Panels, which provide a platform to share experiences, ideas and feedback.

Alongside the launch, new Family Hubs webpages have gone live, making it easier for families to find local classes, book activities online and access the council’s Togetherness parenting guides.

Family Hubs form a key part of the East Riding’s Best Start in Life Plan, which sets out how early years services will be delivered in the coming years.

Families already registered with a Children’s Centre will automatically transfer to their local Family Hub and do not need to re‑register.

More information and registration details can be found at www.eastriding.gov.uk/family-hubs, or by following ERFamilyHubs on Facebook.