A new family hub which provides access to a range of free services for parents and children all under one roof opened last week.
Stanley Road Family Hub in Chadderton is the borough's second hub for residents following the successful launch of Beever Family Hub in Oldham last summer and has seen the former children's centre radically transformed.
The scheme comes as £3.6m has been invested into a programme to support families across the borough, offering activities for parents, carers and children under one roof as well as support and guide from conception up to 19 years old - or 25 years old for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
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The hub pools together invaluable resources such as midwifery clinics, breastfeeding support, parenting support, speech and language support and stay and play sessions to offer a "one-stop shop".
It is hoped the hubs will help families thrive and overcome challenges - and five more will soon be opening across the borough.
On Wednesday, March 20, there was an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to usher in the new chapter while dozens of families looked around the refurbished building.
Karen Bennett, family hubs district leader, described hubs as a "lifeline" to the community where families are welcome to drop by any time to access its services.
She said: "It's about creating a home away from home where families feel loved, warm and safe."
The grand makeover has seen office spaces renovated into two large activity rooms as well as clinical/midwifery rooms.
There is also a private breastfeeding room which Karen said is important as some mothers may prefer a quiet space or one-on-one guidance, though the hub is breastfeeding-friendly everywhere.
Meanwhile, school nurses stressed their service is all about helping families with their health concerns in a judgement-free space.
They help manage children's weight, give immunisation advice and refer parents to GPs as well as dentists, though the team said they often advise on "bread and butter" concerns, such as sleep, behaviour, feeding, healthy eating and puberty.
There is also an anonymous text messaging service, ChatHealth, that parents can contact for any advice about their children's health.
One nurse said: "It's a stopgap for those who can't get to the GP or who may be embarrassed."
The activity rooms have also been kitted out - with quiet book corners, sandboxes, arts and crafts tables and sensory activities.
Lead practitioners, Jenny Clarke and Laura Williams, were just two of the many hard workers who helped bring the spaces to life which was built on localised data.
They added: "We're just so proud of it - especially to see the smiles on all the children's faces.
"It's like a dream come true."
Parents at the opening day felt similarly, including Melissa Jones and her two youngsters, Aria, three, and Jace, one.
When asked about her first impression of the hub, Melissa said: "I really like it. I used to come to one before Covid hit and it was really important to me as I struggled with postnatal anxiety.
"The hub helped me get therapy.
"I was scared to go out - I wouldn't come out of the house.
"Now I'm not scared. It also helps get the kids out of the house, too.
"It's really good to see familiar faces and I'm just glad it can come back."
For mum-of-three Noorjahan Begum, who came with her 11-month-old daughter, Ayana Irfa, the hub also means mums can meet and socialise while their children have a space to play.
Noorjahan said: "This is my first time to a hub and it's great.
"It's lovely for little kids - this one gets bored all the time and next week we're coming to the playgroups.
"My other two children go to the school here, they're six and five, so it's so handy having it here as we only live around the corner.
"I moved here in 2016 and I don't have much family around me. It can get lonely but here we can chat to one another."
Genevieve Green and her nine-month-old boy, Tristen, were also having a ball.
The mum said she had been attending midwifery appointments at the centre but was impressed by its makeover and the raft of activities available.
She said: "It's really impressive - and it's had such a massive turnout. I've never seen it so packed!
"Tristen is an only child so this is great for us to come to until he starts nursery as he can get some interaction with other children while I can get some support as well.
"Being so local, it's really helpful it's here."
Home-start team members Farida Begum, an infant feeding peer support member, and Ruksana Kosar, a parent-infant mental health support diversity coordinator, were also giving breastfeeding baby demonstrations on a doll.
The pair are excited to introduce breastfeeding and antenatal support through their "baby bistro" sessions every Thursday morning from the hub.
Farida said: "It's really important to access that face-to-face support with professionals.
"It's totally rewarding.
"We also offer language support - I speak Urdu and Bengali."
A Oldham Play Action Group spokesperson described the hub as "very exciting", adding: "It's such an asset to the community, to have everything under one roof.
"When you have a baby it can be such a daunting experience, but to come to the family hub you can think, it's not so bad.
"You'll be fine."
Meanwhile, Hayley Carr, Jane Newton and Sonja Jones were on hand to give advice and support to parents with SEND children.
The trio said the hub is vital to providing support to children and families at home who struggle to access independent support, particularly those in early years through the PVI sector, though the service also extends to support young people with SEND up to 25 years.
Sonja added: "Moving into the family hub means much more access and we can liaise with agencies.
"It's massive for those families whose children aren't in education - they can bring them in and foster relationships and know who to engage with and where.
"It's all about providing the right support at the right time, supporting families and being proactive to integrate them with the community in this calm space.
"Family hubs are growing resilience about what can be done differently."
Jane added: "It's not just about these four walls - the hub is a broadened umbrella that stretches across the community."
Council Leader, Cllr Arooj Shah, described the day as "emotional" and "exciting" in equal measure.
She said: "The opening of Stanley Road Family Hub means we can now provide even more improved and exciting services for our children and families to help them to thrive.
"It is so important to provide quality services for families in the heart of our communities so they can access the expert help and advice that they need."
She said such spaces are important for families, particularly for their mental health and since Surestart centres were closed down.
She added: "The most important parts of your life are when you are born and when you pass. It's a crucial time.
"Local people consulted with us on these plans, telling us what they want in their community and what they need.
"It's flexible to suit those needs and address any gaps. Nothing matters more than that insight.
"It's immense and really important - it's really emotional to me and this is a really nice part of my job."
The council leader also said the cost-of-living-crisis has been "really real" for families Oldham and stressed a key benefit of the hub is having it nearby on the doorstep.
She added: "Parents perhaps can't afford to travel to centres, but this community hub has lent to that as the service is within walking distance.
"I've been taken aback by speaking to parents.
"For some mothers, this may be the only socialisation they get, too. Think about those who perhaps don't have any family around them.
"I'm really happy and it's heartening to see that we are ensuring children get that right start in life.
"This is what investing in public services is about."
"This is a truly exciting project and I can't wait for the rest of the hubs to open so we can provide even more help and support for children and families."
Cllr Shaid Mushtaq, cabinet member for children and young people, added: "Following the successful launch of the Beever Family Hub last year, this again is a fantastic facility.
"You can see the joy on the faces of the kids. Everyone's having a great time.
"We know how successful the Beever Family Hub has been to date and we're confident this is going to follow that success.
"So please do come along and have a look and enjoy the facilities and make the most of it. It's for you."
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