Start Well Services for Families (including Family Hubs and Start Well Centres)
Family Hubs (Start Well Centres) are places where families with children and young people 0-19 years, or up to 25 with SEND, can share the joys and challenges of parenthood.
These centres offer a range of activities and integrated support services to help you with every aspect of parenting, so your child gets the best possible start in life.
A number of professionals will be available to support parents-to-be and families around a whole range of topics including supporting your child’s development and learning. We also signpost families onto other agencies when needed.
Bolton Start Well Programme
Find out what’s happening at your local Family Hub and other locations across Bolton in the Guide to What's on: Guide to Services and Activities for Families in Bolton: September - December 2024. Printed programmes are available in Family Hubs, Libraries, and other locations whilst stocks last.
The spring term guide can be downloaded here: Guide to Services and Activities for Families in Bolton: January - April 2025
The programme can also be found on the Bolton Council website which is enabled with a ReachDeck toolbar to support greater accessibility. For example, a user can choose to highlight and have the text read aloud, or translate pages into other languages. When visiting the council page, look for the red and white ReachDeck logo in the bottom right hand corner of the screen; click on it to enable its use.
In addition, we also offer online digital access to your favourite sessions via the Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/BoltonStartWellatHome.
Where can I find a Family Hub (Start Well Centre) in Bolton?
There are seven centres in Bolton, these are:
Alexandra Family Hub
Blackledge Street
Bolton
BL3 4BL
Open: 9:00am – 5:00pm, Monday to Friday
Christmas and New Year: Open 9:00am-4:00pm Tuesday 24th December; closed 25th December 2024 to 1st January 2025 inclusive.
Telephone: 01204 337347
Email: alexandrachildrenscentre@bolton.gov.uk
Bright Meadows Family Hub
Greenroyd Street
Bolton
BL2 5DD
Open: 9:00am – 5:00pm, Monday to Friday
Christmas and New Year: Closed 23rd December 2024 to 1st January 2025 inclusive.
Telephone: 01204 336691
Email:
Farnworth Family Hub
King Street
Farnworth
Bolton
BL4 7AP
Open: 9:00am - 5:00pm, Monday and Friday
Open: 9:00am - 6:00pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Saturday opening: 9:00am - 4:00pm, 7 Dec 2024 and 18 Jan, 8 Feb, 1 Mar, 22 Mar 2025
Christmas and New Year: Open 9:00am-4:00pm Tuesday 24th December; closed 25th December 2024, 26th December and 1st January 2025.
Telephone: 01204 334955
Email: FarnworthStartWell@bolton.gov.uk
Great Lever Family Hub
Leonard Street
Bolton
BL3 3AP
Open: 9:00am – 5:00pm, Monday to Friday
Christmas and New Year: Open 9:00am-4:00pm Tuesday 24th December; closed 25th December 2024 - 29th December inclusive; closed 1st January 2025.
Telephone: 01204 337333
Email: greatleverchildrenscentre@bolton.gov.uk
Harvey Start Well Centre
Shaw Street
Bolton
BL3 6HU
Open: 8:00am – 6:00pm, Monday to Friday
Christmas and New Year: Open 8:00am - 4:00pm Tuesday 24th December and 8:00am - 5:00pm Tuesday 31st December; closed 25th December 2024, 26th December and 1st January 2025.
Telephone: 01204 337390
Email: harveychildrenscentre@bolton.gov.uk
Oldhams Start Well Centre
Forfar Street
Bolton
BL1 6RN
Open: 8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday
Christmas and New Year: Opens 8:30am - 4:00pm Tuesday 24th December; Closed 25th December 2024 to 1st January 2025 inclusive.
Telephone: 01204 334992
Email: oldhamschildrenscentre@bolton.gov.uk
Oxford Grove Family Hub
Shepherd Cross Street
Bolton
BL1 3BH
Open: 9:00am - 5:00pm, Monday and Friday
Open: 9:00am - 6:00pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Saturday opening: 9:00am - 4:00pm, 23 Nov, 14 Dec 2024 and 25 Jan, 15 Feb, 8 Mar, 29 Mar 2025
Christmas and New Year: Open 9:00am-4:00pm Tuesday 24th December; closed 25th December 2024, 26th December and 1st January 2025.
Telephone: 01204 337090
Email: oxfordgrovechildrenscentre@bolton.gov.uk
Tonge Family Hub
260 Starkie Road
Bolton
BL2 2ED
Open: 9:00am - 5:00pm, Monday and Friday
Open: 9:00am - 6:00pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Saturday opening: 9:00am - 4:00pm, 30 Nov 2024 and 11 Jan, 1 Feb, 22 Feb, 15 Mar 2025
Christmas and New Year: Open 9:00am-4:00pm Tuesday 24th December; closed 25th December 2024, 26th December and 1st January 2025.
Telephone: 01204 336745
Email: tongechildrenscentre@bolton.gov.uk
Family Hub Network
A number of former children’s centre buildings have been transferred to schools, which will deliver services for children and families as part of their programme of activities.
The school they are linked to offer useful information, advice, and support about different services to keep children safe and healthy including: childcare, stay and play or parenting courses.
These include:
North Family Hub Network
- The Valley (Crompton) Start Well Link Site
- Bromley Cross Library Start Well Link Site
- St Catherine’s (Bright Meadows) Link Site
- Leverhulme Centre Start Well Link Site
South Family Hub Network
- The Orchards Start Well Link Site
- Mytham (Little Lever) Start Well Link Site
- Grosvenor Start Well Link Site
- Kearlsey (Woodbridge) Start Well Link Site
West Family Hub Network
- Horwich Library Start Well Link Site
- Blackrod Library Start Well Link Site
- Washacre (Westhoughton) Start Well Link Site
- Winifred Kettle Centre Start Well Link Site
- LifeBridge (Heaton and Lostock) Start Well Link Site
- St Mary’s Deane (Hulton) Start Well Link Site
Want to find out more about support and advice services available for families?
You can find more information below about support and advice services available to families. These include:
- Bolton Family Hubs – Bolton Council
- Childcare
- Bolton Family Hubs
- Early education and play
- School admissions
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
- Health services
- Information and advice about children’s services
- Parenting support
My Life in Bolton
Visit the My Life In Bolton website for full details about all these services and more. My Life In Bolton has the most comprehensive and up to date information about accredited services including information about nurseries, childminders, schools, children, and adult social care providers, voluntary organisations, local help groups, activities and events.
Bolton Families Information Service
Bolton Families Information Service provides free information, impartial advice and guidance on a wide range of local and national services for children and young people (aged 0-19) and their families. For more information, visit Bolton Families Information Service - Bolton Council.
Help with the cost of childcare
The government is introducing new ways to help parents with childcare costs and has released a website called Childcare Choices to provide relevant information for parents.
Whether you have toddlers or teens, you could get support! To find out more visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.