Westmorland and Furness Council’s new Family Hub for Barrow and Furness will open its doors this December with a FREE Festive launch event for children and families.

The Family Hub, which will be based out of Barrow Library, will be a place for local people to find out about all the services, advice and activities available for their family in the heart of their community.

Santa himself is set to make an appearance at the event with lots of other festive activities planned, such as Christmas craft activities, messy play, Air Hockey and short Virtual Reality sessions.

The event will be held at Barrow Library on 21 December between 11am and 3pm. There’s no need to book and families are welcome drop in anytime and enjoy a free snack and a drink.

Santa will be at the event between 11am and 1pm on the day, joining in with the activities and posing for Santa Selfies.

Barrow Library Christmas Jumper swap will also be in full swing, so people can choose a free pre-loved Christmas Jumper, or bring an old one along to swap.

Organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, Inspira, Birchall Trust, Health Visitors, Women’s Community Matters, Family Action and more will also be on hand to provide advice and support to anyone who needs it.

Councillor Sue Sanderson, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services said:

“Barrow’s Family Hub launch event will be a few hours of pre-Christmas fun, a free snack and a drink, whilst browsing information and chatting to the various friendly teams who can help and support our local families with advice and information. Bring your children, (all ages welcome) and join in with the activities – from crafts and activities for the small ones, to Air Hockey in the Teen Zone.”

Milorad Vasic, Director of Children’s Services, Westmorland and Furness Council said:

“Family Hubs will become important places and spaces where we can work together to make a difference and support children, young people, and families. Westmorland and Furness Council is one of just 13 councils nationwide chosen to receive funding from the Department of Education’s Family Hubs transformation fund.

“The main Family Hub is to be based at Barrow-in-Furness public library, with Family Hub outreach centres based at Dalton, Ormsgill, Walney and Barrow Island – where the need is greatest. The Hub can be accessed by anyone across the Westmorland and Furness area who needs help and advice for families with children aged 0-19 (or 25 with SEND) in Westmorland and Furness.”

Once the hub is open, the team at the Barrow Library Family Hub will be available to advise on many different aspects of day-to-day life such as finance, mental health, physical health, wellbeing and more.

Families are also welcome to use the Family Hub space to meet up with other families, socialise and share experiences.

Find out more at the Family Hub website and Facebook Page