Health & Lifestyle | Posted on December 16th, 2025 | return to news

Boost for Family Hubs in Dorset

In addition to three new Hubs, the programme for three-to-four-year-olds will be extended into Wimborne and Ferndown.

Family Hubs are set to grow across the Dorset Council area.

The Department for Education (DfE) has awarded £2.3million in funding to the council, spread over the next three years, to make it easier for parents and carers to access vital help from pregnancy through to age 19 — or 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Locally, this will mean that Wimborne and Ferndown will be amongst eight existing hubs to have an extended programme for three-to-four-year-olds.

There will be three new family hubs in Blandford, Portland Hospital, and Weymouth Central (WOAC).

All hubs will be rebranded as Best Start Family Hubs.

The family hubs provide a welcoming space for families to access health services, parenting support, and community resources—all under one roof. The funding will strengthen partnerships with health providers and voluntary organisations, ensuring families get the right help at the right time.

Cllr Clare Sutton, Dorset Council Cabinet member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, said: “This funding is a real boost for families in Dorset and will make it easier for parents and carers to find the help they need, when they need it, all in one place and closer to home.”