Oldham Council officially open seventh family hub centre

The centre was officially opened by Cllr Shaid Mushtaq, cabinet member for children and young people.

A launch event was attended by children, parents and carers who took part in free activities. 

Alexandra is one of seven Family Hubs to have opened since last summer to deliver a wide range of support and activities for families as part of a £3.6 million programme.

The centre has opened in the former Alexandra Children's Centre on Wildmoor Avenue revamped with former office space transformed into vibrant play spaces.

One mother, Erika Simpson, brought her two-year-old son Reegan Samuels to the launch after being supported with home visits by Oldham Council’s Right Start service.

Reegan, who was born with two holes in his heart and only one valve instead of four, is non-verbal and is on the autism assessment pathway.

He had his first open heart surgery when he was just three and a half months old and will need a second when he’s four years old.

Erika was put in touch with Lauren through a speech and language drop-in at Beever Family Hub in St Mary’s, the first Family Hub to open last summer.

Reegan with Lauren (Image: Oldham Council) She said: “I was panicking because I thought he couldn’t communicate with me.

"But with Lauren’s help I realised he was trying to tell me something but in different ways.  Now, in the last two months, he’s babbling.”

Another mother, Rozhan Mohamad had a fun afternoon with her two young daughters Loreen and Leen at the Alexandra Hub launch after also enjoying the activities at Beever.

She said: “We have lived in Oldham for two months and we are really pleased with the activities on offer here."

Through Family Hubs, Oldham Council work bring together invaluable resources such as midwifery clinics, breastfeeding support, parenting support, speech and language support and stay and play sessions as one-stop shop to enable families to thrive and overcome challenges.

They offer activities and support for children and young people from conception through to 19-years-old or 25-years-old for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Cllr Mushtaq with Five-month-old Loreen Abdullah (Image: Oldham Council)Cllr Mushtaq said: "The new Hub looks amazing and it's great to see so many families here enjoying themselves. There's a wonderful vibrant atmosphere here and it's really well-equipped.

"I encourage people to come and use this family friendly Hub to give their children the best start in life. There's a whole host of support and activities they can access.

"This is our seventh Hub, which is a big achievement. Our Hubs have been a big success to date and we are confident that this will follow their success."

For more information about our Family Hubs and to find your nearest Hub visit the Family Hubs website.