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Find out about Best Start Family Hubs

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What are Best Start Family Hubs?

Looking for fun things to do, friendly faces, advice, or a little extra support?

Best Start Family Hubs are here for you.

We support expectant parents and families with children and young people aged 0-19, or up to 25 for young people with SEND.

At your local Family Hub you'll find:

💚 Something to do – fun activities, groups and events for children, young people and families.
🏡 Somewhere to go – a warm, welcoming place to meet others, play, learn and connect.
👂 Someone to listen – friendly advice, information and support when you need it.
🗣️ Something to say – opportunities to share your views and help shape local services.

Best Start in Life Family Hubs bring together a range of services in one place, making it easier for families to access the help and support they need. From health and wellbeing support, parenting advice and family support, to play, learning and community activities, we're here to help every step of the way.

Support is available in our Family Hub buildings, community venues, online, over the phone and through social media.
Our aim is simple: to help families get the right support, in the right place, at the right time, helping children, young people and families to thrive.

Best Start in Life Family Hubs build on the legacy of Sure Start Children's Centres, supporting families from pregnancy through to young adulthood.

Where is your Nearest Family Hub in Barnsley

1 Town, 6 Family Hubs, 1 Information Site and a Play Hub.






Best Start Family Hub Central
Bank End,

Overdale Avenue,

Worsbrough Dale,

S70 4BD


Best Start Family Hub North East
c/o Milefield Primary School,

Grimethorpe,

S72 7BH

Best Start Family Hub Penistone 

c/o Penistone Library

High Street

Penistone

S36 6BR




Best Start Family Hub North 
Lindhurst Road,

Athersley North

S71 3NB
Best Start Family Hub South 
c/o Wombwell IKIC Hub,

Barnsley Road, Wombwell,

Barnsley,

S73 8HT
Best Start Family Hub Dearne 
Station Road,

Thurnscoe,

S63 0JR


Family Hubs at Barnsley Market

Units 14 - 18

Upstairs in Barnsley Market,

(just behind Market Kitchen).

Play Hub

Units 14 - 18

Upstairs in Barnsley Market,

(just behind Market Kitchen).

When are our Best Start in Life Family Hub Sites Open?

Our 6 Family hub sites are open Monday to Friday 8:30pm to 4:30pm

Family Hubs at Barnsley Market and The Play Hub is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 5pm, Wednesdays from 9am to 6pm, Fridays from 9am to 4:30pm, and Saturdays from 9am to 4pm.

Did you know you can also contact us by:

Phone: 0800 0345 340

Email: infofis@barnsley.gov.uk

Message us on Facebook

Have you Heard About Welcome to Barnsley Family Hubs

Welcome to Family Hubs is here to help you find the right groups, activities and support for your family.

You can ask for a quick phone call or a home visit from one of our team.
They can:
  • Explain what services are available for your family
  • Share simple play ideas to help your child’s learning and communication
  • Just click the link here, fill in a short form, and our team will get in touch.

Find Out What’s On in our Family Hubs

There's something happening everyday across all of our 6 Family Hub sites.



  • Join our fun Stay and Play sessions, perfect for little ones to explore and learn through play.
  • Come along to Play and Learn groups to support your child’s early development in a relaxed, friendly space.
  • Discover Little Talkers, helping to boost early speech, language and communication.
  • Try New You, New Us, with sessions designed to support your wellbeing and build positive family routines.
  • Explore SENDsory Explorers, a welcoming group for children with SEND to enjoy sensory play and calming activities.
  • Come and Pop in and Play, Fun, Free play sessions for all of the Family on Saturdays
  • Our SEND Brunch, Offers a calm and inviting space for parents and carers to come together.
  • Take part in our Wellbeing Workshops, helping you look after your own emotional health.
  • Take a look at our digital What’s On Guide to see all the groups and activities happening near you here.
  • Take a look at our Summer Holiday Timetable here.
If you’d like a copy of our Family Hubs Digital What’s On Guide, email: infoFIS@barnsley.gov.uk 


Out and About in Town and Need Some Information?

Family Hubs at Barnsley Market

Families can pop into our Town Centre information site to find out what’s going on at our Best Start Family Hubs and what support is around for you.
It’s a welcoming space where you can have a chat, ask questions and get signposted to services who can help.
We also have other services popping in for easy drop‑in sessions, so you can get information and support all in one place.


Have you visited our Play Hub?
Our Play hub in Barnsley Market is a free, welcoming space for families with young children. It’s a great place to pop in and play, chat and meet other families, stay as long as you like!
Find us behind Market Kitchen (upstairs in Barnsley Market), 





We're Here to Support you on your Parenting Journey

If you are preparing for a new arrival, navigating the early days, or supporting an older child, there’s something for everyone.



Welcome to the World: A warm and supportive space for expectant parents to prepare for life with a new baby.
The Nurturing Programme: Learn positive approaches to building strong, healthy family relationships.
Sleep Success: Practical tips and guidance to help your child – and you – get better sleep.
Talking Teens: Support for parents of teenagers, focusing on communication, confidence, and understanding.
Preparation for Parenthood: Everything you need to feel ready, informed, and confident as you start your parenting journey.
Baby and Us: A relaxed group for new parents to share experiences, build bonds, and get advice for the early months.


Click here If you are ready to book a place. If you're not sure which is the most suitable Parent Support Programme for you, give us a ring and we'll talk you through each of the programmes.
All our Parent Support Programmes are free.

Family Hub Early Help Navigators

Early Help Navigators support children, young people and families across Barnsley by helping them find the right support at the right time. Navigators can help families understand what support is available, connect them to local and national services, and help with referrals and forms where needed.



Families can speak to a Navigator through weekly drop-in sessions held at Best Start Family Hubs across Barnsley, community groups and schools. Navigators will listen to what is working well for your family and discuss any additional support that may help.

If you want to know more about Early Help and how to get it click here


Beds for Babies

Helping families who are struggling to provide a safe place for their baby or young child to sleep. If you are eligible, the scheme can provide items such as a cot or cot bed, a new mattress and bedding, so your child has a safe and comfortable space to sleep.

Families cannot apply directly, but a professional who works with your family — such as a health visitor, midwife, social worker family support worker or by calling into your nearest Family Hub — can make a referral on your behalf.

They will discuss the scheme with you and complete the referral.

For professionals only: Click here to access the referral form.



Become a Best Start in Life Family Hub Member - Why becoming a member makes a big difference

It helps us plan better for your community when we know the area you live in, we can make sure activities, groups, and support are available close to home.
It helps us offer the right groups at the right time knowing the ages of your children means we can plan sessions that families really need—like baby groups, toddler activities, or support for older children.
It helps us tailor support to local families. Understanding your family situation (for example, if there are lots of single parents in one area) means we can offer targeted support where it’s needed most.
It ensures our services meet real local needs your membership helps us shape what we deliver, where we deliver it, and how we support families like yours.


Become a Family Hub member by visiting any of our six Family Hubs, dropping into the Family Hub at Barnsley Market, or signing up online here.

Find us on Social Media

Find us on Facebook - Barnsley Family Hubs

Follow us on Instagram - Family Hubs Barnsley
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 

Help us dream up new fun!

Our Parent Ideas Factory is where you can share activity ideas or make suggestions of what you feel Best Start in Life Family Hubs should offer families .

Add your ideas online here or drop them into the colourful yellow Parent Factory Ideas boxes in our Family Hubs.

Barnsley's SEND Local Offer

Click here to go to Barnsley's SEND Local Offer.
Find information for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities.

Family Hub Room Bookings

Click here to book a room within a Family Hub. 

Please read our terms and conditions here

Who can help?

Click here to go to our service quick search

Leaving Care Local Offer for Care Leavers

Visit Barnsley's Local Offer for Care Leavers

Thinking about becoming a Foster Carer?

Click here to find out more.

Great Childhoods Ambition

Explore what’s possible for children, young people and families in Barnsley. 

Barnsley's Great Childhoods Ambition 

Barnsley Children's University

As part of our Great Childhoods Ambition, we've partnered up with the Children’s University Trust to launch the Barnsley Children’s University.

Click here to find out more 

Register a birth

You need to register your baby to get a birth certificate.


Armed Forces Families

Find valuable information and support for our Armed Forces community and families at Armed Forces Barnsley.

Be part of something BIG

Working with small children is a big deal.

It’s a job that makes a difference by helping to give children the best start in life.

Find a job in childcare

ICB Healthier Together Website (Opens in New Window)

Healthy Holidays (Opens in New Window)

Click here for more information and to book Healthy Holidays

Worried about a child? (Opens in New Window)

Help us improve the Virtual Family Hub

Click here to view and complete our new feedback form!!

Neighbouring Family Hubs

If you live outside the Barnsley area, contact your local Family Hub, or Children's Services for details about programs available in your community.

Childcare Providers Only : Provider Portal Login

School Professionals Only : School Access Module (SAM)

Early Help for Professionals Only (Opens in New Window)