The Old Barclays Bank, Whitehaven Harbour, is being transformed into a welcoming family-friendly hub, ready for Easter holiday opening celebrations.
Significant refurbishment work is underway to prepare Whitehaven Harbour’s Old Barclays Bank to welcome its first families this Easter, as part of Cumberland Council’s Family Hubs initiative.
The landmark building – renamed by local families as the ‘Family Hub on the Harbour’ – is being repurposed and refurbished to provide a welcoming one-stop-shop Family Hub, where children, young people and their families can access a range of family services and the support and advice they might need.
The redevelopment is due to be completed by April in time for the grand opening, set for the second week of the Easter holidays.
Families in and around Whitehaven are being invited to drop in to the opening event, Thursday 11 April 11.00 – 3.00. The opening celebration event will offer free family fun activities and refreshments, as well as an opportunity to see the new Family Hub and find out more about the services and activities on offer.
Led by Cumberland Council, Whitehaven’s Family Hub is only the first of a network of Hubs planned across the region, which will provide a range of family-based services in partnership with other organisations. It will cater for families, children and young people aged 0-19 years – and up to the age of 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The in-person service is supported by a dedicated Family Hub website, which provides 24/7 information, advice and support online.
Cllr Emma Williamson, Executive Member for Children’s and Family Wellbeing and Housing at Cumberland Council said:
“I am thrilled that we are placing our new Family Hub services right into the heart of Whitehaven, and at the same time, bringing the Old Bank building back into use for the local community.
“We are ambitious for our communities and are determined that our first Family Hub will make a lasting positive impact on the lives of families in Whitehaven.
“Accessing information and support should always be easy and straightforward. Our Family Hub will provide a friendly, community-based place for activities, advice and support all under one roof, putting relationships at the heart of family support.”
Martin Birch, Director of Children and Family Wellbeing at Cumberland Council added:
“It’s so important families have the right support readily available, in the right place and at the right time; Whitehaven’s Family Hub on the Harbour is ideally placed to support the town’s families through every stage of life.
“Whitehaven’s Family Hub on the Harbour belongs to the community. We have been working closely with local families to ensure it is driven by their needs. I’m really pleased to share that the Hub will be opened by local families and the name was voted by the local community. This is just the start and I look forward to taking the same community-based approach as we look to open other Hubs across the Cumberland area.”
The Family Hub forms part of the council’s ambitious Family Wellbeing transformation programme – which is currently consulting with Cumberland’s families on improving their services. Families or professionals wishing to share their views or experiences are urged to complete the online survey before the closing date on Friday 15 March.
The online survey can be accessed from cumberland.gov.uk/familywellbeing.