THE GOVERNMENT has announced more than £210,000 investment to develop Best Start Family Hubs across Worcestershire, including Redditch.
The funding forms part of the Best Start in Life campaign – a flagship national programme to rebuild vital family and community services lost after years of austerity measures.
The new Best Start Family Hubs will revive Sure Start, ensuring families across Redditch once again have access to local, joined-up support from pregnancy to school age.
The hubs will act as one-stop shops for families, providing practical help and expert advice on everything from early years development, parenting and SEND support to mental health, debt advice, domestic abuse support, housing and infant feeding.
The Worcestershire hubs will be one of 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs rolled out across the country by April 2026, with the goal of ensuring more children are school-ready by aged five and breaking the link between background and opportunity.
Redditch MP Chris Bloore welcomed the funding.
He said: “This is fantastic news for families. For far too long, parents here have been left without the kind of local support that makes the biggest difference in the early years of a child’s life.
“When Sure Start Centres closed, thousands of parents were left to navigate parenthood alone – without access to the help that every community deserves.
“I’m proud this Government is rebuilding those vital services, starting right here in Worcestershire.
“This £210,519 investment is about giving every child the best start in life – regardless of postcode or background – and helping parents find the support they need, when they need it.”
The new Best Start Family Hubs will deliver a wide range of integrated services, including early years activities for children aged 0–5, health visiting and maternity services and SEND services and infant feeding advice.
The grant will enable local authorities to identify a hub site by January 2026 with services due to launch from the April.
The investment will target communities where families face the greatest barriers to support, ensuring help reaches those who need it most.
Mr Bloore MP added:“This is exactly what change looks like – practical, meaningful action that helps parents, strengthens communities and gives every child the best possible start.”
Visit: beststartinlife.gov.uk for more information.
