Family Hub
Family Hub (formerly We Are Family) meets on Wednesdays during term-time from 10am-12pm. We provide free cooked breakfasts, hot drinks, access to the baby bank and other advocacy services, fun activities, crafts and pre-school creche facilities.
Family Hub serves as a regular opportunity to socialise, access referrals to support, have fun, and be part of a caring community of women. Everyone who is accessing, or is in need of access to, our services is welcome to come along – in addition to those we have supported who want to keep in touch.
As a trauma-informed space for women, if you are not a woman in need of help, we kindly ask you don’t attend without speaking to a member of the team first. If you would like to visit Family Hub for other reasons – for example, to volunteer or as part of a research project, please contact the team in advance so we can advise when and how we might facilitate this appropriately.
Impact:
In 2024, 90 women + 66 children attended Family Hub over the course of the year, enjoying weekly meetings, daytrips, parties and picnics together. On an average week, we welcome around 15-25 women and 10-20 preschool children.
We have partnered with other organisations such as Sadlers Wells, Discover Centre Stratford, Tindersticks Forest School and Community Kitchen to provide a range of fun, health-boosting activities and outings.
We carry out a survey of parents each year asking about the impact of our work on their families’ lives. In the 2024 survey: 86% of parents agreed that their children were healthier 95% agreed that their relationship with their children has improved 95% of parents agreed that they and their children had made friends since coming to Alternatives 100% of parents responding agreed (60% strongly) that Alternatives staff had helped them with their stresses 100% of parents said “I can cope better with life’s challenges since coming to Alternatives”.
Community Projects Manager, Jade Ford:
Jade joined Alternatives in 2018 as a Family Support worker. Since our move to St Edmund’s she has coordinated the Family Hub. Since September 2024, she oversees all our community projects.
“What I love most about Family Hub is the connection between mums who have come together, whilst going through difficult periods of their lives, and still find beauty and joy in the simple things. They uplift and support each other, offering guidance and hope to one another. It is truly wonderful to see and shows us the great purpose we are here to serve.”