Hampshire opens three new Best Start Family Hubs in Alton, Andover and Gosport

Hampshire is rolling out three new Best Start Family Hubs in Alton, Andover and Gosport, marking the next phase of a county-wide initiative to provide wraparound support for families from pregnancy through early childhood. The hubs, set to open by December, will operate as one-stop centers offering health, education and social care services tailored to local needs.

Each hub will deliver early intervention programs, including parenting workshops, infant feeding guidance and health visiting, alongside signposting to community resources. The initiative follows the March launch of a pilot hub in Leigh Park, which has already shown high engagement among families seeking support.

Cllr Roz Chadd, Hampshire County Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said the hubs are designed to address gaps in early support, particularly in areas with high need. "Families in Hampshire deserve accessible, joined-up services that meet them where they are," Chadd said. "These hubs will bring critical resources into local communities, reducing the pressure on schools and health services by intervening early."

The selection of Alton, Andover and Gosport was based on community engagement, with local parents and stakeholders identifying areas where early intervention could have the greatest impact. Services will include developmental screenings for toddlers, mental health support for parents and practical advice on early learning.

Hampshire’s Best Start Family Hubs align with a national government strategy to improve school readiness and reduce inequalities in early childhood development. The pilot in Leigh Park has already seen a 22% increase in families accessing health visiting services within the first six months.

• 📊 Hubs will prioritise families in areas with lower school readiness scores
• 🔍 Services include speech and language therapy for under-5s
• ⚠️ Limited capacity may require phased rollouts in some locations

The county council has committed to opening 30 hubs and network sites by 2026, with the next wave of locations to be announced in early 2025. Officials say the phased approach ensures each hub meets the specific needs of its community before scaling up.