Welcome
Hi everyone! As we step into the summer term, we’re excited to share another edition of the Family Hubs newsletter. This time of year often brings a renewed sense of energy - longer days, more opportunities to get outdoors, and plenty happening across our local communities. In this issue, you’ll find updates on upcoming activities, helpful support services for families, and information about groups and events taking place across our Family Hubs.
You’ll be able to see some of the exciting things we’ve been up to recently and the wonderful moments families have shared in our sessions. We’re also looking forward to World Breastfeeding Week, where we’ll be sharing information, support and activities for families with babies, helping parents feel confident and supported with feeding. Alongside this, we’ll be sharing tips and guidance on staying safe this summer so families can enjoy the warmer months safely
We’re pleased to continue offering our weekend groups for children and their families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). These sessions provide a welcoming and supportive environment where children can play, explore and take part in activities at their own pace, while parents and carers have the opportunity to meet others, share experiences and access support. Our aim is to create inclusive spaces where every child and family feels comfortable, understood and able to enjoy time together.
We are always looking for passionate parents and carers to become Parent Champions and help us spread the word about the support available through our Family Hubs. Parent Champions play an important role in reaching other families in the community, sharing their experiences and helping more people access the help and activities available to them.
If this is something you might be interested in, please do drop me a line – we would love to hear from you.
Benefits of becoming a Parent Champion include:
- The opportunity to support other families in your community
- Building confidence and developing new skills
- Gaining valuable volunteering experience
- Meeting new people and making connections with other parents and professionals
- Learning more about the services and support available for families
- Opportunities for training and personal development
Your voice and experience as a parent are incredibly valuable, and together we can help make sure more families feel supported, informed and connected.
Family Hubs are here to support families every step of the way, and we’re grateful to everyone who continues to be part of our growing community. We hope you enjoy this edition and find something that’s useful, inspiring, or simply a great opportunity to get involved this summer term. Have a fantastic summer!
Nicki Holdsworth, Children and Families Programme Manager
nicola.holdsworth@nhpltd.org.uk
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| We have new Family Learning courses and activities, along with some old favourites! Check out our timetables and course descriptions: |
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| Find out more in our What's On Guides |
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We're recruiting across our Family Hubs!
Join our team and make a difference in your community.
Interested? Find out more and apply:
🔗 northhalifaxpartnership.org/work-with-us
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World Breastfeeding Week: 1–7 August 2026
World Breastfeeding Week takes place from 1–7 August and is a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and strengthening support for families.
The theme for 2026, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” is a call to action to build lasting, equitable support for breastfeeding mothers everywhere. It highlights the role that communities, services, workplaces and professionals can play in making sure families have the encouragement and practical support they need.
Across Calderdale, Family Hubs and partners are committed to supporting parents through a range of initiatives, including breastfeeding peer support, the Welcome to Breastfeed scheme, and training opportunities for practitioners to help create breastfeeding-friendly environments in our communities.
We’ll be sharing more information about how you can get involved, access support, and promote breastfeeding-friendly spaces nearer to the date. Keep an eye on the Family Hubs website and Facebook page for updates.
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Parenting is a journey and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Visit our Start for Life webpage to explore tailored guidance and support — from pre-pregnancy through to your child starting school.
On the Start for Life page, you’ll find:
- A simple roadmap from pregnancy through the first 1,001 days and up to age 4.
- Key health and development info — birth registration, vaccinations, check-ups, breastfeeding support and more.
- Local groups and activities — home visits, baby groups, stay & play, parenting sessions and library events.
- School-readiness guidance to help your child’s emotional, physical and cognitive development.
- Whether you’re expecting, caring for a newborn or supporting a toddler, the Family Journey page is here to guide you.
Visit our website to find out more:
https://calderdalefamilyhubs.org.uk/family-journey/ |
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A Happy Safe Summer
The most common summertime child injuries result from falls, bicycle accidents, sun burn/heat exhaustion and from water hazards at pools, beaches and lakes.
Sun safety
Drink lots of water on hot days.
Wear appropriate clothing including a hat and sunglasses
Limit the time spent in the sun especially during the hours of 11am – 3pm
Sunscreen should be applied frequently at least 30 mins before exposure to the sun
Take time out of the sun, use shaded areas where possible or go indoors.
Water safety
Children must be always supervised in any type of water including the sea, paddling pool, swimming pool etc
Stay within arms reach of small children, even if they are confident swimmers.
Know your own limits don’t swim further that you comfortable doing.
Don’t let children stay too long in the water and take them out to warm up if they start to shiver or get cramps.
Don’t allow a child who is sick to go swimming.
Enjoying the outdoors
When visiting playgrounds make sure equipment is age appropriate and safe to use.
Ensure bikes are safe before allowing children to ride their bikes, checking tyres are inflated.
Wear a helmet when riding a bike.
When playing in the garden make sure any gates and locked and that the area is secure.
Keep children away from barbecues, fire pits etc.
For more information please visit the following websites:
https://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/
https://www.sunsafenurseries.co.uk/
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The importance of childhood vaccinations
Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent from infectious diseases
Vaccines will:
- Protect you and your child from many serious and potentially deadly diseases.
- Protect other people in your community – by helping to stop diseases spreading to people who cannot have vaccines.
- Undergo rigorous safety testing before being introduced there are also constantly monitored for side effects after being introduced.
- Reduce or even get rid of some diseases – if enough people are vaccinated.
Vaccination is the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children against ill health. They prevent up to 3 million deaths worldwide every year.
How vaccines work:
- Vaccines teach your immune system how to create antibodies that protect you from diseases.
- Its safer for your immune system to learn this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them.
- Once your immune system knows how to fight a disease, it can often protect you for many years.
For further information:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/why-vaccination-is-safe-and-important
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Volunteer Spotlight
Shazia started volunteering to gain some experience working with younger children and explore the possibility of a career in Early Years.
“As a result of volunteering at Creations Family Hub, I have gained hands-on experience at a baby and toddler group, supporting play, routines, and early learning. I enjoyed helping children grow in confidence and develop through creative activities.
Read more about Shazia's volunteering journey
Interested in Volunteering?
Our next course is:
Monday 8th and 15th June 2026
Elland Family Hub, HX5 0BB
9.30am -11.30am
Week 1:
You will learn about what volunteering opportunities we have available within our Family Hubs and Nurseries, what we offer and how you can benefit.
Week 2:
This will briefly cover safeguarding, confidentiality and health and safety.
You will need to attend both sessions.
Find out more...
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| Activities to try at home |
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Tuna Pasta Bake
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Ingredients
- Penne pasta - 500g
- Italian passata with garlic and herbs
- Tuna in spring water 145g
- Tinned sweetcorn - 200g
- Red Leicester cheese - 100g
- Garlic Baguette
£3.42 (approx) for 4 portions
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Method
- Cook pasta
- Drain sweetcorn and tuna then add to cooked pasta and mix in passata
- Put in oven proof dish
- Grate cheese and add on top
- Bake in oven for 25 minutes at 180
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Book recommendation: Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Stories like Goldilocks and the Three Bears help children explore important early learning concepts such as size, quantity, and comparison. As children hear about the big, medium, and small bowls of porridge, they begin to notice differences and start thinking about “more”, “less”, “biggest”, and “smallest.” Reading the story together at home is a lovely way to build your child’s listening, talking, and imagination skills – all important foundations for learning to read and write later on.
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Try this simple activity at home: Porridge Play
Bring the story to life with a fun sensory activity.
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What you need:
3 different sized bowls
3 different sized spoons
A small amount of oats or porridge
What to do:
Let your child scoop and pour the porridge into the bowls. While they play, you can ask simple questions to encourage their thinking:
Which bowl has the most porridge?
Which bowl has the least?
Which bowl is biggest or smallest?
Can you count the bowls and spoons together?
Can you put them in size order?
These playful conversations help children develop early number skills, curiosity, and problem-solving – all through simple play.
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Library Tip
Why not borrow Goldilocks and the Three Bears from your local library? Libraries also offer rhyme time sessions and Bookstart resources, which are wonderful ways to support your child’s language development while enjoying stories and songs together.
Little moments of play and storytelling like these can make a big difference in helping children learn and grow.
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