Start for Life - From birth to 2 years
Start for Life - From birth to 2 years
Children and Family Hubs
Children and Families Newcastle Hubs have lots of activities you can attend from breastfeeding social sessions, baby massage groups, to fun days for all the family. We have a range of exciting services on offer and are here to support you whether that be with, parenting, relationships, attending activities or some other type of support.
Use the postcode search below to find your local information.
Children and Families Newcastle Hub Sites
Children and Families Newcastle at Galafield Family Hub Newbiggin Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 1LZ
Children and Families Newcastle at Byker Sands Family Hub, Raby Cross Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2FF
Children and Families Newcastle at Cowgate Centre, Houghton Avenue Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 3UT
Children and Families Newcastle at Carnegie Building, Atkinson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 8XS
Children and Families Newcastle at Fawdon Children’s Centre, Cairns Way, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 2SN
Start for life – first 1001 days
The first 1,001 days of a baby’s life are a really important time. This is from conception, all through pregnancy, until your child turns two years old. Babies learn lots in their first two years of life, and there is a lot to learn as a new parent too. It can feel overwhelming, lonely and difficult at times, but there is support available. You can chat to your midwife, or your health visitor. You can attend groups at your local Children and Families Newcastle Hub and meet other parents.
Giving you and your baby the best start, lays the foundations for your future together.
You can contact:
Your Midwife: 0191 282 3842
Your Health Visitor: 0191 282 3319
Early Help Access Point: 0191 211 5805
Registrar Information
Did you know you must register the birth of your baby within six weeks (42 days)
To book an appointment please use the register a birth - step by step guide
Breastfeeding Social
The Breastfeeding Social groups are relaxed, informal and friendly. They are a great way to meet other breastfeeding mums and get support from a trained member of staff or peer support volunteer. Find out more about your local group;
Please contact 07826 531575
First Words Together
This session is aimed at families with children aged from birth-2 years old. This session is aimed at promoting early language development skills using a range of specific activities with children and their parents. This is a 5-week programme and each week focused on a ‘top tip’ that parents can use with their children. Each tip helps promote early language development skills and encourage positive interaction between parent and child. Each week, the families receive one book to take home and share together. Find out more about your local course;
First Words Together @ Riverside
First Words Together @ St Martins Centre
First Words Together @ Cowgate
Baby Touch/ Massage
This is a five-week program which is suitable for babies from birth -12 months. Massage is a wonderful skill for parents to learn so that they can introduce positive touch to their baby. It gives the opportunity for special time together incorporating not only the massage, but also therapeutic hugs and holds, and fun with nursery rhymes and music. Baby massage is also a fantastic way for parent to learn how their baby communicates with them. Baby massage also has lots of health benefits for the baby – Helps calm and relax both parent and baby, Boosts the immune system and helps babies sleep more deeply, aids digestion and can help relieve colic and wind and other tummy upsets. Find your local programme;
Baby Massage @ Byker Sands Family Hub
Baby Massage @ Galafield Family Hub
Baby Massage @ St Martin's Centre
Parent & Toddler Groups
Open to all parents/carers with children under 5 offering a range of play activities offered across a range of venues and supported by NAPI. Use the our Parent and Toddler Group link and enter your postcode to find the group closest to you.
Rainbow Borrowers
Providing a free toy loan service and play session for children under 5 with additional needs. Chose your family hub of community building below
Rainbow Borrowers @ Galafield Family Hub
Rainbow Borrowers @ West Walker
Sensory Baby
Free sensory sessions for babies up to 1 year old
Sensory Baby @ Galafield Family Hub
Toddle Time
Play Session is for children aged 12 months to 2 years. Each week we provide activities that enhance spatial awareness and improve cognitive and physical development. Parents / carers are supported to think about their child’s interests and respond to their ideas to gain a greater understanding of each other.
Boogie Bairns
A free sensory and play session for children aged 0-2
Family cook, play and learn
Healthy cooking activities for children 0-8
Family Cook, Play and Learn @ Galafield Family Hub
Family cook, play and learn @ Nunsmoor
Family Cook Play and Learn @ Benwell
Messy Play Sessions
Painting, gloop, pasta play, playdough and more! For children 0-5.
Well Baby Drop in
Come along and get your baby weighed and have a chat with your local community nursery nurse/health visitor.
My Baby and Me
This is a 1-hour weekly session for parents/carers with babies under 12 months. The class focuses on bonding and secure attachments and celebrating becoming a parent. Parents are supported to take their child on a journey, explore ways to play with their baby and nurture their desire to interact with their baby. These new skills lay the foundation for everything they do as parents. The class provides activities that encourage parents to engage in floor-based play and interaction. This session runs alongside the well-baby clinic
Breakfast Stay and Play
This session is for families with children from 6mths to 4 years. Each week we provide a healthy breakfast for parents to try new nutritious low-cost recipe ideas and to include the children in the preparing of the food as they are more likely to try new foods this way.
Community Nursery Nurse Development Clinic
Development check for 2-year-olds. Appointments only, please book via your health visitor or phone 0191 282 3319
Community Nursery Nurse Development Checks @ Blakelaw
Community Nursery Nurse Development Clinic @ Riverside
Community Nursery Nurse Development Checks @ Benwell
Community Nursery Nurse Development Checks @ Galafield Family Hub
Community Nursery Nurse Development Checks @ Gosforth Library
Community Nursery Nurse Development Clinic @ Nunsmoor
Welfare Rights Support
Appointments Only. For benefit support and advice contact Riverside Community Health project Tel: 0191 226 0754
Welfare Rights Advice @ Riverside
Welfare Rights Advice @ Elswick
Welfare Rights Surgery @ Nunsmoor
Healthy Family Relationships
Arguments in relationships are normal, but if you find yourself doing any of the following with your partner or co-parent, you may need help to sort things out:
Arguing often
Not resolving arguments
Walking away from arguments
Feeling angry and shouting
Arguing in front of children
Parenting programmes and responsive groups
Incredible Years - Parenting Programs
For parents/ carers of babies 0-6mths and unborns
Benefits include
- Help babies feel loved, safe and secure
- Learn how to provide a safe environment
- Encourage babies' physical and language development
- Understand the importance of parental communication and babies' brain development
- Strategies to set up predictable routines and bedtime rituals
- Hands on learning approach with your baby
Positive Behaviour Support Spring Workshops
This series of workshops is about understanding and supporting your child’s behaviour, particularly if their behaviour can be more challenging at times. These workshops help parents to think about strategies and to come up with a plan that focuses on a good quality of life for your child and family. If you would like to come to the workshops please contact Jillian at skills for people Tel:0191 281 8737 or email information@skillsforpeople.org.uk
Childcare for 2, 3- and 4-year-olds
You may be entitled to 15 hours free early education for your 2-year-old. If you are a working parent, you may be eligible for up to 30 hours free childcare.
For more information and to check eligibility Tel: 0191 278 7878 or go to www.newcastle.gov.uk/free-childcare.
Early help and family support
Early help is a way of describing the extra support your family can receive if you need it. It may be that you want to prevent a problem or change things for your family before the problem becomes more serious.
You can contact the early help team Tel: 0191 211 5805 Email: earlyhelp@newcastle.gov.uk. or ring your community family hub for support.
More Support
- NHS Pregnancy Advice - Better Health Start for Life
- NHS Healthier Together
- Pregnancy and Birth Choices
