Family hubs across Blackpool offer free classes, events and activities for local families, a chance for children to learn and play, as well as an opportunity for parents to gain support and make friends. They also offer a health visitor led baby weigh-in clinic and regular coffee mornings. In addition, Hub staff can signpost to other support across Blackpool to suit individual needs.
Follow the Blackpool Family Hubs Facebook page here.
Central Family Hub:
Gorton Street, Blackpool, FY1 3JW.
Contact them at 01253 951190.
North Family Hub:
31 Dingle Avenue, Blackpool, FY3 7NX.
Contact them at 01253 476480.
South Family Hub:
207 St Annes Road, Blackpool, FY4 2AP.
Contact them at 01253 476550.
Baby weigh in clinic:
Health Visitor led clinic for babies up to pre-school children to be weighed.
North Family Hub:
Tuesdays between 1pm and 2.30pm
Central Family Hub:
Mondays between 9.30am and 11am
South Family Hub:
Wednesdays between 9.30am and 11am
Sip and Share:
This is a non-judgemental, friendly, drop-in with a free brew. A chance to gain peer- support, help new parents socialise, and have your voices heard. Babies and children are welcome.
Call or text Hannah for more information on all Sip and Share times/days/events on 07385002813 between 9am and 2.30pm or check the Family Hub Timetable.
Support for expectant parents:
Anya:
Blackpool parents can now get free access to the Anya app, designed to support you through pregnancy and into parenthood.
Chat with Anya AI, your 24/7 virtual supporter, about any pregnancy topics on your mind
Chat with other parents in the Anya communities, to talk through pregnancy or parenting topics
Get one-to-one support from in-app human experts
To unlock your free access download the Anya app, sign up and enter your Blackpool postcode.
Baby steps is your group antenatal class in Blackpool. They are completely free, friendly and relaxed. Some mums-to-be go on their own, but partners /family members /birthing partners are welcome too.
There are both antenatal and postnatal sessions offered.
Under the Equality Act 2010, pregnant women are legally protected and entitled to paid time off to attend antenatal appointments, including classes recommended by a doctor or midwife. Employers are required to support this right and must not treat employees unfavourably for attending such appointments.
Health Visitor led clinic for babies up to pre-school children to be weighed.
North Family Hub:
Tuesdays between 1pm and 2.30pm
Central Family Hub:
Mondays between 9.30am and 11am
South Family Hub:
Wednesdays between 9.30am and 11am
Sip and Share:
This is a friendly non-judgemental, drop-in, with a free brew. It is a chance to gain peer support and can help new parents socialise. Babies and children are welcome.
Call or text Hannah for more information on all Sip and Share times/days/events on 07385002813 between 9am and 2.30pm or check the Family Hub Timetable.
Parent Infant Relationship Service:
One-to-one support from pregnancy to age 4, for parents to enhance their relationships with their child.
Helping you to:
Understand your child’s emotional world by learning to read their needs
Notice the ways in which your child communicates their needs & feelings through behaviours
You can also visit their website which is full of support, advice, and information to help make your parenting journey easier. This includes information on infant feeding, cost of living, getting ready for school and getting ready to talk.
Home Start help families with young children through a combination of home visiting support, group support and social activities. They match the needs of your family with trained volunteers who provide emotional and practical support. Support is free, confidential, and non-judgemental.
You can self-refer to get support from Home Start by completing the form at the bottom of this page: Get help - Home Start Blackpool.
Free evidence and research based infant feeding support for however you feed your baby. Henry support Blackpool families with children aged 0-4 with breastfeeding, expressing, formula feeding, combi feeding, starting solid food and fussy eating.
They operate a free helpline Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm on 01253746788, and can support you:
The National Breastfeeding Helpline offers a non-judgemental, evidence based, friendly breastfeeding support and information to anyone in the UK who needs it.
The helpline is now open 24/7, so you can get support whatever time of day or night.
As well as calls to the helpline phone number, support is also available via webchat and Facebook & Instagram messenger.
They offer support for families on every step of your breastfeeding journey however old your baby is, one day, one week, one month, one year old or more. Call 0300 100 0212 to speak to the friendly team 24/7.
The Drugs/Medication in Breastmilk Information Service:
The Drugs in Breastmilk Information Service offers information on the safety of taking medications whilst breastfeeding. They have a team of volunteer pharmacists who have expertise in this area and have received training in breastfeeding support. They are available every day of the year between the hours of 8:30am-8:30pm.
The service also has a library of popular factsheets about commonly used medications and treatments so you can find out their safety whilst breastfeeding. You can find them here: Drugs in Breastmilk factsheets - The Breastfeeding Network.
Good mental health of parents is important to your baby. You can always discuss any concerns with your Midwife/Health Visitor or GP.
Lancashire Women:
Being a parent can be hard. If you have experience difficulties during pregnancy, birth or beyond, loss or miscarriage, or if it all feels so overwhelming- Lancashire Women can help. They have activities, groups and drop in sessions throughout the week. They also offer one to one sessions designed to support you with your mental health and wellbeing. In addition they can give advice on money, debt, energy and employability and specialist drug/alcohol support.
Details of type of support can be found here: Perinatal Support for Families in Blackpool. You can also visit the Blackpool Hub to talk to one of the friendly team about what services are suitable for you. Drop in times are Monday-Friday between 10am and 3pm. The hub is located at 255 Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 3PB.
Mind your Step Walk
Blackpool Family Hubs and Lancashire Women have partnered together to facilitate a walk for parents and carers around Stanley Park ending with a free brew. For more information call or text Hannah at 07385002813 or visit the Family Hub timetable.
Blackpool Healthier Minds:
Blackpool's Healthier Minds service offers a free range of psychological services to people over 16 years (by self-referral) . Contact the service by calling 01253 955700.
Family Lives:
Family Lives offers a confidential helpline service for families in England and Wales (previously known as Parent Line). They offer emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life. If you don't get an answer first time please do try again.
Call 0808 800 2222. The helpline is open Monday to Friday between 9am and 9pm and on weekends between 10am and 3pm.
You can also use their WhatsApp service Monday to Friday between 9am to 9pm. You can contact them about any family or parenting issue. To start a chat, please open your WhatsApp app and add the number 07441 444125 to connect with an experienced professional family support worker or the highly-trained volunteers.
Family lives also have a free online parenting course called New Baby in the Family and Let’s Play. The new baby course is also translated into Arabic and Pashtu.
You can also ring 0800 0130 709 for Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre residents for 24-hour access to mental health care, advice, support and treatment.
Mental Health Crisis Line:
If you need urgent help as you are in mental health distress, then there is always someone you can call. The Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation Trust (LSCFT) Mental Health Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 0800 953 0110.
It is staffed by trained mental health professionals who are able to provide assessment and referrals to appropriate services. Ring it if you need to access services or for advice about someone who needs treatment or support.
Perinatal Mental Health Team:
Through Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, there is a pregnancy and emotional wellbeing team ready to help, support and listen to you and your family.
Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership:
A Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) is an independently-led NHS working group for service users and their families to share their maternity experiences with the Trust and commissioners. By sharing experiences, they are involved in the design, improvement and implementation of maternity services. This ensures that services are designed to meet the needs of local women, parents and families.
You may want to contact Patient Relations (formerly known as PALs) at Blackpool Teaching Hospital if you want more information or advice about your care, you wish to pay a compliment or give general views about your care, or you may wish to make them aware of your concerns or complaints. You can call 01253 955588 or 01253 955589.
The Dads Place helps dads to be, or dads with children aged 0-2. It offers a safe space for dads to come together and provide peer support to each other.
Dad Matters supports dads to have the best possible relationship with their families. They currently offer a dad’s wellbeing group, one to one support and new dads’ workshops.
