Kellie Wigley, Community and Partnership Manager for Stockton Council, explains the place of health advice in Family Hubs in Stockton-on-Tees. ‘Healthy living is important for all families and by accessing health advice through and in Family Hubs, we can reach and engage with more families. Because Family Hubs are local, friendly and non-judgmental, families feel more comfortable asking questions and raising their concerns in this environment than in more clinical, central or formal buildings.
‘In Stockton-on-Tees, Family Hubs host the following health advice services, delivered by our commissioned partner, Harrogate District Foundation Trust:
- Health drop-in for baby weigh-in and advice
- Breastfeeding support
- Growing Well, Growing Healthy service, addressing weight issues, healthy eating, running activity groups for children and educating parents
- Henry: our Family Hub parents’ advisor co-delivers this healthy living programme with a member of the Growing Well, Growing Healthy service
- Emotional resilience nurses provide low level targeted intervention with children one to one, addressing anxiety and other issues, before – and therefore hopefully avoiding – the need for intervention by CAMHS
- Change Grow Live drug and alcohol service, with drop-in sessions, offering support to families and children
- Smoking Cessation support for children aged 13+ and parents
- CAMHS groups are held in the Family Hubs, to support parents’