Birth and Beyond provides free antenatal sessions for parents to be on topics such as:

• getting to know your unborn baby
• changes for you and your partner
• giving birth and meeting baby
• your health and wellbeing (parents)
• feeding, bathing and practical care of your new baby
• information about people and services who are there for you

It is recommended that you start Birth and Beyond Worcestershire between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Sessions run over four consecutive weeks and last two hours with a further session after your baby is born.

To find out more about antenatal courses including how to book, contact the family hub.

There are also free NHS online courses for expectant parents that you can complete as and when suits you. Find out more here: Understanding pregnancy, labour, birth and your baby

Midwifery and Health Visiting Service (Well Baby clinics and development checks) clinics are run by appointment only. Visit: Our Services | Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

SALT clinics are run by appointment only.

Speech and Language Drop in sessions run from a couple of venues in Kidderminster (Drop in’s do not run at Brookside Family Hub unfortunately)

Vitamins are available for free through the Healthy Start scheme or to purchase at a low cost at the family hub, this includes:

• pregnancy and breastfeeding vitamins (£1.00 or free with a healthy start card)
• vitamin drops for babies and young children - these are suitable from birth to 4 years old (£1.80 or free with a healthy start card)

Where cash payments are made, exact change would be appreciated please.

Unfortunately, family hubs are unable to accept payment by debit/credit card.
 

Brookside Family Hub runs the following support groups:

• kinship carers
• Men United (group for dads and male caregivers)
• SEN peer support
• Twin Time (group for twins and multiples)
• breastfeeding support

There are other groups run from nearby venues including:

• Men United at Walshes Community Centre (Dad’s Peer Support group focussing on mental wellbeing) Men United - Facebook page
• Wyre Forest teenage parents to be support group at Kidderminster House (please speak to your midwife for more information)

Brookside Family Hub runs the following parenting groups:

• free, weekly Stay and Play sessions, there is no need to book
• Time for Baby group - postnatal peers support group, a Stay and Play group for non-mobile babies with their parents and carers, there is no need to book

Understanding Your Baby, Brookside offers Understanding Your Child and Understanding Your Teen groups which run over a course of up to 10 weeks. To find out more or to book visit:

• Book workshops, groups and courses run by family hubs

Short workshops are available on topics such as sleep, fussy eating, behaviour, and teen brain.

You can also access Understanding Your Baby; Understanding Your Child and Understanding Your Teen groups which run over a course of up to 10 weeks. To find out more or to book visit:

• Book workshops, groups and courses run by family hubs

There are free NHS online courses for parents and carers that you can complete as and when suits you. Find out more here: Online courses for emotional health and wellbeing

To find out about other courses and workshops visit: Support, courses, and workshops for parents, carers and grandparents

Physiotherapy drop-in clinic runs monthly for parents of children aged 0 to 5 years with concerns about their gross motor skills (sitting, walking, moving).
 

The Family Hubs are supported by friendly volunteers, helping young people and families across Worcestershire in a number of different services. If you are interested in making a difference and volunteering within your local family hub, then the following roles are available:

• administration/business support volunteer
• community hub volunteer including Stay, Weigh and Play
• parenting peer supporter 

For more information and the express an interest, please see: Volunteering opportunities

Other services and support include: 

• food bank vouchers
• information on childcare, finances, parenting and education
• breast pump hire
• stop smoking appointments (for families during pregnancy - please speak to your midwife. For adults living with a child or young person under the age of 19 - please contact the Smoke Free Homes service for Worcestershire Families)
• advice on a range of health and wellbeing topics and signposting to support for you and your family