By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight is to benefit from three newly-announced Best Start Family Hubs, part of a nationwide programme to support families and young children.
Located in Newport, Ryde, and Sandown, the hubs will be funded by a share of £500 million in government funding to build upon the legacy of the former Sure Start centres.
Richard Quigley, MP for Isle of Wight West, welcomed the move, calling it “fantastic news for families across the Island.” The hubs aim to serve as one-stop centres for services, including breastfeeding support, housing advice, child development, speech and language therapy, and parenting guidance. They’ll also offer stay-and-play groups and targeted interventions to help families thrive.
Rolling out across every local authority by April 2026, the Island’s three new centres are part of this nationwide effort to ensure every child gets the best possible start in life.
The announcement follows confirmation that over 7,500 Island children will be eligible for free school meals from next year – marking a significant uplift in support for local families during early childhood years.
Plans are already underway, with more details expected in the coming months.
