Families in York will be able to join free fun activities this summer as part of the city’s new Family Hubs pilot.

York is one of a number of areas in the country which has been awarded funding from the Department for Education to create a Family Hubs model of support for local children, young people, parents and carers.

Families will initially be able to drop into York’s existing Children’s Centres at Clifton (Wednesdays and Fridays, 9am-2pm) and Hob Moor (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am-2pm) to take part in free, fun drop-in activities, including arts and crafts, mirror making, and canvas creations.

The activities are aimed at 0–11 year olds, although everyone is welcome to get involved.

Visitors will be warmly welcomed by members of the Family Hubs team, who will run the sessions and be on hand to provide information about services, activities and support available to families in York.

A fortnightly drop-in and activity session will also be available at The Avenues Children’s Centre in Tang Hall, every other Wed (9am-2pm) starting from Wednesday 16 August.

The new sessions are the first step in a new network of support for children, young people and families across the city through a new partnership called ‘Raise York’.

‘Raise York’ is the new name for York’s family hubs, chosen following input from families, children and young people and childcare and health professionals. It’s a network of people, places and online support which will support children, young people and families from pregnancy to adulthood.

The network is being run by a partnership of organisations across the city, including City of York Council, the NHS, Explore York Libraries and Archives, York CVS and City of York Safeguarding Children Partnership.

Councillor Bob Webb, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “We believe that supporting York’s children and their families is the right thing to do and I believe that Raise York will help York’s young people to thrive.

“We know that families and communities help provide a foundation for children and young people to grow, develop and feel safe. Raise York will bring together children; young people; families; communities and professionals so everyone can get the connections, help and support they want and need.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has helped us shape York’s family hub network so far and urge people to continue to feed back to us on the pilot, so we can create a family hub network that really does meet the needs of all local children, young people, parents and carers.”

Families and child and health care professionals have been at the heart of shaping Raise York, advising on what they would like to see in the physical hubs and on the new website, which will launch in the autumn. Their input and feedback will continue to be vital to make sure Raise York grows and develops to meet their needs in the future.

More elements of the Raise York offer will be launched over the next few months. More information is available at www.york.gov.uk/FamilyHubs

Local residents can continue to contact the council’s Family Information Service on 01904 554444 (Mon – Fri 10am – 4pm or leave a message) or by emailing fis@york.gov.uk