Congleton Family Hub has reopened with a new sensory room and an improved outdoor play area designed to give local children and families more ways to learn, play and access support.
The refurbished centre was officially launched at a community event on 21 September. Families met local service providers while children took part in free activities including circus skills, balloon modelling, arts and crafts and outdoor play.
Inclusive space for children and young people
Cheshire East Council says the sensory room and outdoor improvements have been designed as inclusive spaces, including for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The additional space will also allow the hub and its partner organisations to run more group activities, support sessions and community services from the Congleton site.
Family Hubs bring council, NHS and community support together in one place. They serve families with children and young people aged from birth to 19, with support extending to age 25 for people with SEND.
What support is available?
Services available through the network include family support, health visiting, midwifery appointments, breastfeeding and nutrition advice, speech and language support, physiotherapy, parenting programmes, youth provision, mental health support and child-development sessions.
The council says families can also receive SEND advice and join community activities intended to help parents and carers meet other local families.
Between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, 4,508 children, young people and families accessed services across the Congleton and Holmes Chapel Family Hub catchment, including through partner early-years settings, according to Cheshire East Council.
The authority said 19.3% of those receiving support came from the catchment's most disadvantaged communities. It said the figure showed the service was reaching families who may benefit from early help and targeted support.
More sessions planned at Congleton hub
Councillor Laura Crane, Cheshire East Council's cabinet member for children's services, said the improvements would make the hub more welcoming and create room for additional sessions and activities.
"The improvements to the Family Hub, including the new sensory room and enhanced outdoor play space, will help create a welcoming place where families can learn, play and get the support they need," she said.
She encouraged families to visit the hub whether they needed advice, support with a child's development, access to health services or an opportunity to meet other parents and carers.
Congleton is one of six Family Hubs operated across Cheshire East. The others are Oakenclough, Ash Grove, Monks Coppenhall, Oak Tree and Crewe Lifestyle Family Hub.
How to find help
Families who cannot attend in person can access advice and service information online. Details of local hubs, available support and virtual tours are available through the Cheshire East Family Hubs website.
This report is based on information and a photograph supplied by Cheshire East Council. Service figures and comments are attributed to the authority.
