Northumberland’s Family Hubs have published their new What’s On guides for 2024.  
 

From family fun and group activities through to parenting advice and relationship support - the hubs continue to expand their services to make sure there is more help at hand for families in Northumberland than ever before.  
 

A collection of free digital courses is also available on the family hubs website.  
 

All activities and support are free to anyone living in Northumberland.  
 

Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet member for Inspiring Young People, said: “Family Hubs are brilliant as they bring all the professionals working with families together so the hubs really are that one-stop-shop for family life. 
 

“You have midwives, health visitors, early years and mental health professionals and a host of other services - including relationship and parenting programmes, and financial advice so families can get the right support for them.   
 

“Whether you want to come along and join in one of the many classes and group activities at our hubs, speak to a member of the team for advice – or get some trusted support online through our range of courses – there really is something for everyone.  
 

“From preparing for parenthood and registering the birth of your baby, through the learning curve of parenting and managing relationships – the team are here to support you. 
 

“We’re really proud to be one of the Government’s Family Hub trailblazers, which means the team are leading the way in the national rollout of the programme.”   
 

There are Family Hubs across Northumberland and the team set up in outreach locations too, from schools to community centres and fire stations.  
 

Many courses are also delivered virtually and online, so parents can take part in their own home, or at their own pace.  
 

Tom and Sarah Bowes from Alnwick have been coming to Alnwick Family Hub with their son Ethan since he was just a few months old.   
 

They share looking after Ethan around their work commitments and have found the play groups and activities on offer have created a valuable network of support. 
 

Sarah said: “The groups have been brilliant, we’ve really enjoyed bringing Ethan here and he has been able to interact with other kids his own age which he wouldn’t have had otherwise. 
 

“The groups are free, which is wonderful, and it’s just really good to meet other babies and meet other parents in a relaxed informal way.  
 

“As first-time parents, we were clueless, being able to ask for advice about things like when they are not sleeping is great or even just sometimes having that reassurance that what you are going through is normal. 
 

“The staff are so welcoming and so friendly, it’s just an environment where if you are going through something you can come and offload and share and you don’t feel judged, or like you’re a bad parent. You feel like everyone else is going through it, that you’re completely normal and you can get that support you need.” 
 

Tom, who runs Greycroft bed & breakfast in the town, found the way the bespoke support for dads is a valuable resource. As well as DadPads – a guide for new fathers – the hubs have also launched What’s the Craic – where dad’s and male carers can get together to talk and support one another. 
 

He said: “Becoming a new dad was absolutely terrifying!  There's very little information out there that seems to be directed towards dads. So the DadPad is great as it’s in a format that makes it feel like it's intended for you.  
 

“There's so much information on the internet, that you can sometimes not know where to start and just having something that brings together the information and makes it accessible is a great way to give you more confidence that you’re doing the right thing.  
 

“I find the Family Hub has been absolutely brilliant because I'm not from the area originally so don't have a lot of friends with children of a similar age and it gives an opportunity for Ethan to socialise with children of a similar age in a safe environment.   
 

“It also given access to courses: health and safety for example and healthy eating and nutrition which have been very useful.” 
 

Listen to Tom and Sarah talk about the difference that Family Hubs has made to them.