MP welcomes Yeovil family hub investment but raises concern

Adam Dance has backed the Government's new Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies programme, backed by more than £900 million.

The scheme aims to bring together health, education and family services in one place to make it easier for families to get support.

One of the sites helping deliver the programme is the Boden Centre in Chard, which serves families in the Yeovil constituency.

Adam Dance MP for Yeovil and South Somerset. (Image: Adam Dance)

Mr Dance said: "This is a positive step towards joining up services and making sure families can get help in one place, close to home.

"We know that early support can make a huge difference to a child’s life chances.

"Spaces like the Boden Centre already play an important role in supporting local families, and it is right that they are recognised as part of this wider network."

He also raised concerns about challenges for rural communities and called for targeted support to make the programme work in Somerset.

He said: "Families in rural communities often face extra barriers, whether that is transport, access to services, or long waiting times.

"If this programme is to succeed, it must work for areas like ours, not just larger towns and cities.

"We need clear guarantees that Somerset will receive the funding and workforce it needs to deliver these services properly, and that support will be consistent across the county.”

The Best Start Family Hubs will offer health support for babies, parenting advice, early years development services and support for children with additional needs.

There are plans to expand the programme to up to 1,000 hubs and 2,000 outreach sites nationally by 2028.

Mr Dance wants to ensure the rollout meets the needs of all parts of his constituency, including villages and outlying areas.

He is continuing to work with local partners to ensure that families across Yeovil and surrounding villages can benefit from the new services.

He has called for support to be consistent across the county and is urging the Government to ensure no community is left behind.