The Knowsley Family Hub opened its doors to the community on Monday 4 September 2023 at The Pride Centre in Northwood, Kirkby. Since then, hundreds of families have been accessing the vast range of help and support that is available to them.
The Family Hub brings families, partners and services together under one roof, making help and support accessible to local families. This includes parenting support and activities to keep your little ones entertained.
There are a range of drop-in activities where no booking is needed – please come along and take a look. Other activities can be booked by calling 0151 443 5633 (option 1) or emailing Familyhubs@knowsley.gov.uk. The current timetable can be found below:-
Monday
- English and Maths (please book) – 9.30am – 11.30am
English and Maths adult learning sessions
- Parenting Course (please book) – 1pm – 2.45pm
Free parenting programmes to help you to manage the transition to parenthood, support the healthy growth and development of your child and build confidence to parent your children in a positive way.
Tuesday
- Baby Massage (please book) – 10am- 11am
For babies 6 weeks to 6 months, the course promotes bonding and helps reduce difficulties such as wind, colic, constipation and irregular sleeping patterns.
- Well Baby Clinic (starting in October – drop in) – 9am – 12.30pm
Run by the 0-25 health visiting service. For more information, please call 0151 514 2666.
- Breast feeding coffee afternoon (drop in) – 12pm – 2pm
Peer support to offer virtual and face-to-face support for all families, both antenatal and postnatal, ensuring all parents receive the support, information and skills needed to successfully breastfeed their babies.
- Family Healthy Lifestyle Course (starting in October – please book) – 3pm – 5pm
Health and wellbeing course to support the whole family to be fit and healthy together and includes nutrition, family cooking and family activity that everyone can join in with.
Wednesday
- Baby Explorers (drop in) – 10am – 11am
For 0-12 months, these sessions include activities for you and your baby including sensory play, song time and more.
- Little Explorers (drop in) – 1pm – 2pm
For 12-24 months, these sessions focus on aspects of child development including personal social and emotional development, physical development, maths, communication and literacy.
- Monthly Occupational Therapy for Children taking place on 11 October, 8 November, 13 December (drop in) – 3pm – 5pm
Parent / Carer drop-in sessions for paediatric physio / Occupational Therapy providing an opportunity for parents / carers to come along and talk through any concerns that they have or discuss a referral for their child.
Thursday
- Bump and Baby (drop in) – 1pm – 3pm
Information and support from pregnancy and beyond.
- Antenatal classes (starting in October – please book) – 1pm – 3pm
Opportunities to meet other mums, dads and birthing partners with support to help you and your family to prepare for the birth of your new baby, develop your confidence and share information.
- Smokefree pregnancy (drop in) – 3pm – 5pm
Support to help you to stop smoking in pregnancy.
Friday
- Little Adventurers (drop in) – 10am – 11.30am
For 0-5 years, these are fun sessions where you and your children can meet other families in a warm and welcoming environment and engage in quality play time.
Cllr Margaret Harvey, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said “I’m delighted that our Family Hub at The Pride Centre in Kirkby has now opened and the invaluable help and support that is available to help families to thrive is accessible under one roof.
“The activities we provide are aligned to local needs and we continue to review the support that is available, so if you do have a specific need, please speak to a member of the team at the Pride Centre.
“A key priority for us and our Family Hub is to provide the right support at the right time and help our children and families to thrive.
“I’d encourage you to go along and see how the Family Hub can support you.”
Help, support and activities are also available in other children’s centres across the borough. Find out more on the Knowsley Early Years website.