Happy mums reveal how Family Hubs' home sessions have helped with their children's development
Parents in Oldham have praised the Real Enhanced sessions provided by Family Hubs, which support children under five not in educational settings. The in-home sessions focus on child development and readiness for learning, with parents noting significant improvements in their children's confidence and communication skills.
Oldham Family Hubs Help Toddlers Find Their Voices Through Free Home Sessions
Three-year-old Holly Boardman stopped talking entirely, leaving her mother Natalie worried and searching for answers. That changed when child and family practitioner Lauren Eaton began visiting their home through Oldham’s Real Enhanced program.
“Seeing someone regularly and playing has made a massive difference,” Natalie said at a recent Cuppa and Chat drop-in session. “Lauren has been really supportive. She has done extra play with Holly and she has sat and listened. We had concerns because Holly had stopped talking, but Lauren helped to bring her out of her shell.”
Real Enhanced provides free developmental support sessions for children under five who aren’t in educational settings, delivered directly in family homes. The program aims to prepare children for learning while supporting parents through early childhood challenges.
During Holly’s final session, the breakthrough moment came when she sat down voluntarily in front of Eaton. “I was like ‘yes!’” Eaton recalled, describing the progress that months of patient home visits had achieved.
The success stories extend beyond Holly’s family. Liza Jackson credits Real Enhanced with providing crucial support for her four-year-old Bryan and five-year-old Jayden. Sanna Ali has seen similar improvements in her two-year-old son Harris: “It’s really great and has made a big difference for him.”
The Oldham Parent Carer Forum hosts monthly Cuppa and Chat sessions at Point in Chadderton, where families can connect with others facing similar challenges. These gatherings provide peer support alongside information about available services for children with additional needs and disabilities.
Cllr Shaid Mushtaq, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, emphasized the program’s community impact: “Real Enhanced is a fantastic example of the support from our Family Hubs offer for the people of Oldham, helping them on their parenting journeys and giving children the best start in life.”
The Family Hubs team plans to expand evening drop-in sessions in the coming weeks, making these support services more accessible to working parents.
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