We hope you all had a wonderful summer!
In this edition, we’re excited to share some of the fantastic activities, events, and partnerships that have taken place across our Family Hubs over the past few months. Since April 2025, when Family Action officially TUPE-transferred into Family Hubs, we’ve been busy developing our structure and strengthening how we support our 0–19 (SEND 25) community. With a dedicated and passionate team now in place, our Family Hubs continue to grow — creating welcoming spaces where families can connect, access support, and take part in a wide range of services designed to help children and young people thrive.
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Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme – Summer Highlights
Over the summer, our Family Hubs across Barrow-in-Furness were proud to take part in the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme, funded by the Department for Education and supported by Westmorland and Furness Council. The programme offered free, fun-filled sessions for children and young people who receive free school meals, providing a mix of healthy meals, creative workshops, outdoor play, and family activities. It was fantastic to see so many local families getting involved, enjoying time together, and making new memories while learning about the importance of healthy eating and staying active. A huge thank you to all staff, volunteers, and partner organisations who helped make this summer’s HAF sessions such a success!
Strengthening Partnerships – Bee Unique and Ragtag Arts and Community Scrapstore
Our Family Hubs continue to grow, not only in the support we provide but also through the wonderful partnerships we’ve built within the community. Over recent months, we’ve been proud to work alongside Bee Unique, a fantastic charity supporting children and young people with additional needs and their families. Together, we’ve delivered inclusive sessions and activities designed to create safe, welcoming spaces where every child can thrive.
We also continue our valued partnership with Ragtag Arts & Community Scrapstore, who have been a long-standing collaborator in helping us deliver our special events and creative sessions. Ragtag bring sustainability and imagination together through hands-on arts and crafts activities that encourage families to explore creativity while learning about recycling and re-use of materials saved from landfill.
We hosted our first joint family event at Barrow Bid Autumn Fest and what a fantastic day your imagination and creativity was amazing. Thank you all for stopping by to join in the fun and we loved chatting to you all to find out how you would like to shape the Family Hub service in Barrow. A huge thank you goes out to Ragtag Arts & Community Scrapstore, the scrappy Van and crafts went down a treat and we look forward to continuing to work together on future Family Hub specials throughout the year.
Parents first aid session with Barrow Fire and Rescue service
We recently welcomed parents to a Basic First Aid Session held at Barrow Library, aimed at helping families feel more confident when responding to common first aid situations. The session covered key topics such as choking, resuscitation, burns, falls, and seizures. During the session, The Little Orange Book was recommended as a helpful guide for parents and carers of babies and young children — offering practical advice on what to do when your child is unwell. You can view it here: The Little Orange Book – Part 1 (PDF)
We also learned that Barrow Fire Station offers free home visits to discuss fire safety and can provide smoke detectors if needed. To find out more, call 01229 407945.
Re-opening of our Family hubs Greengate Centre
The Greengate Centre on Greengate Street has now reopened as a shared community building, managed by the Family Hubs team. The building is home to a range of partners, including services for Care Leavers and Love Barrow Families, creating a welcoming and supportive environment for the local community. By working together under one roof, we’re ensuring families, young people, and individuals can easily access the support they need. The Greengate site continues to grow into a vibrant hub of connection, care, and collaboration across Barrow. For more information on the services running from Family Hubs Greengate, you can follow us on Facebook or reach out to us by contacting one of our centres.
Weekly Universal groups
It’s been wonderful to see so many new families joining our weekly term-time universal groups across our different Family Hub centres. Sessions such as Baby Time, Chill, Chat and Play, and Little Learners have been full of energy, smiles, and plenty of fun! These groups offer a lovely opportunity for parents, carers, and children to spend quality time together, build new friendships, and grow in confidence. We’ve been getting creative with seasonal crafts, exploring sensory play, and enjoying a variety of hands-on activities that support early learning and development. It’s fantastic to see families returning each week and watching relationships blossom within our welcoming Family Hubs community.
To find out more about our weekly sessions or to join in the fun, visit our website or follow Family Hubs Barrow on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and group timetables: Facebook, @familyhubsbarrow, wandffamilyhubs.org.uk
Summer and October Events over the School Holidays
What a fun filled packed Summer and October school holidays we have had. From summer fun in the sun to spooktacular specials, the team have brought lots of fun for families across Barrow and Furness - packed with crafts, play, and plenty of smiles. To find out more about our school holiday sessions to join in the fun, visit our website or follow Family Hubs Barrow on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and group timetables.
A Summer Adventure to Remember with Impact International
This summer, Impact International partnered with Family Hubs to provide 16 children with an unforgettable five-day adventure in Tower Wood, nestled in the beautiful Lake District. Throughout the trip, the children took part in a range of exciting outdoor activities, including kayaking, rock climbing, and archery, while exploring the stunning natural surroundings and visiting local activity centres. For many families, the trip offered vital respite and, for others, a much-needed financial relief from the rising cost of family holidays. Most importantly, it gave children the chance to build confidence, make new friends, and create lasting memories.
Forest school Day for the Team
The team had a great forest school day in the woods, finding out about the benefits of nurture learning, making crafts from natural materials, building fire, making smores and playing games.
Thank you to Knit-for-Nowt
A big thank you from all of us at Family Hub Barrow to Knit-for-Nowt for kindly choosing us to receive a fantastic pack of knitted resources! These wonderful items will make such a difference in our work with children and families. Knit-for-Nowt is an inspiring non-profit, powered by talented knitting and sewing volunteers who create incredible puppets and worry monsters to help support children. We are so grateful for their generosity and creativity!
Coming soon
- Our Family Hub Baby Shower: Thursday 11th December 2025, 10:30-12:00pm at Family Hub-Barrow Library.
- Family Hubs Christmas Family Fun Day: Saturday 13th December, 10am-3pm at Family Hub-Barrow Library.
- Winter HAF & Festive Specials: Includes Pantomime visit, hot meal, and festive hamper with activities.