Four new family support hubs to open in Reading

The centers will bring together services for children and young people under one roof.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Reading Borough Council is opening four new family support hubs that will provide a wide range of services for children, young people, and families in the city. The hubs will operate from existing sites in Whitley, Ranikhet, Sun Street, and Southcote, offering support from birth to age 18 (or up to 25 for those with special needs). Services will include family safeguarding, early years support, and help for neurodivergent families, with both physical and digital support available.

Why it matters

The new family support hubs are part of the government's Families First reforms, which aim to improve access to early support for families. By bringing together various services under one roof, the hubs are expected to make it easier for families in Reading to get the help they need.

The details

The four new family support hubs in Reading will operate from 8 AM to 6 PM on weekdays, offering a range of services in partnership with organizations across health, employment, training, housing, and the voluntary sector. In addition to the four main sites, services will also be delivered from satellite locations across the town. Both physical and digital support will be available through the hubs, with existing services at the locations continuing.

  • The hubs are due to open on March 19, 2026.
  • The facilities will provide support for families with children aged from birth to 18, or up to 25 for young adults with care experience or special educational needs and disabilities.

The players

Reading Borough Council

The local government authority responsible for opening the new family support hubs in Reading.

Wendy Griffith

The lead councillor for children at Reading Borough Council, who said the centers will provide "safe, welcoming spaces" for families.

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What they’re saying

“In Reading, we want every family to know there is somewhere they can turn to for support - from pregnancy, through the teenage years and into early adulthood.”

— Wendy Griffith, Lead Councillor for Children (BBC Berkshire)

What’s next

The four new family support hubs in Reading are scheduled to open on March 19, 2026.

The takeaway

The new family support hubs in Reading aim to make it easier for families to access a wide range of services, from early years support to help for neurodivergent families, by bringing these resources together under one roof. This initiative is part of the government's broader efforts to improve access to early support for families.