I am proud that as a country we have a wealth of support available to everyone, free at the point of use, and this includes support to families to help them and their children get the best start in life.
I was pleased today to visit the Berechurch Family Hub in Monkwick, Colchester to learn about the wonderful help and services they provide to Colchester's families and children. Run by Virgin Care and Barnardo's, it was so impressive to see such a lovely, welcoming environment with such passionate staff. I was also impressed to see the Fire Emergency Services, Volunteer Essex, and Community 360 there. The hub recognises the sheer importance of incorporating other public and third sector bodies into their services to raise awareness on issues such as fire safety, health and fitness, and wellbeing.
The Berechurch Family Hub hold a range of services, including through a Healthy Family Support Worker, a Healthy Family Drop In, and their Music and Movement and Stay, Play and Learn programmes. They also have a sensory room for children and families to use, and they make the most of their outside space with outside play areas and activities. Finally, I was impressed to learn of the domestic abuse support and awareness they have at the hub - this is an issue the Department for Work and Pensions have been working on, and we have introduced people who specialise in domestic abuse in Jobcentres across the country.
Please check out the Berechurch Family Hub webpage to discover more about the amazing services and support they have on offer to all families and children in our town: https://essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk/centre/berechurch-family-hub-2/