Bury Labour have announced that the borough will be in receipt of more than £2.1m in funding from the government to bring back Sure Start-style family hubs under the new Best Start programme.
The plan will see services such as child psychology, early years support, parenting advice, stay-and-play sessions, Citizens Advice and key health services placed at the heart of communities and within easy reach of families.
Research from the IFS showed that Sure Start significantly improved the health and life chances of children, with increased educational attainment, decreased hospitalisations, fewer reported mental health challenges and reduced number of days off from school. The new Best Start programme is aiming to bring back the system to once again achieve these positive outcomes.
The funding was confirmed at a recent meeting of Bury Council, where Councillor John Southworth set out the £2.1m boost for young families and children. He also confirmed that work is already underway, with the first Best Start hub due to open at Chesham Fold later this month.
The centre has been co-designed with the community to ensure it delivers the services that families need most. Plans are also progressing to open centres in Whitefield and within the new Radcliffe hub, ensuring that all families across Bury can benefit from the scheme.
Services at the new hubs may include:
- Educational psychologist support
- Parenting advice and courses
- Health services and advice
- Midwifery support
- Citizens Advice
- Speech and language support
- A range of sessions for parents
- Play sessions for children Adult learning support
Councillor Lucy Smith said: ‘I’m delighted to see the return of Sure Start through the Best Start programme. Sure Start supported millions of families to give their children the best start in life, and helped our most vulnerable to access the services that would allow them to thrive.
‘Sadly, the Conservatives dismantled the Sure Start programme with deep funding cuts, leaving a generation of families without the support they needed. Now the Labour government is bringing it back, and families across the borough will feel the benefit.
‘We’re investing millions into these centres to ensure we can provide the best start to life for our youngest across the borough, supporting working families with a one-stop shop for advice and care, whilst ensuring our most vulnerable families can access services before issues escalate.
‘Chesham Fold Family Hub is just the start, and the council is working hard to make sure this funding is put to good use for the families of Bury.’
The nationwide scheme, which has been backed by £1.5bn worth of funding from the Labour government, will roll out in every local authority by April of 2026, giving 500,000 hard-working families the early help and support they need to ensure their children get the best start in life.
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