The Council and Barnardos continue “Team Around the Family” for local families who need it most

The Council and Barnardo’s have extended their commitment to providing prevention support to local families via the Early Help Hub (EHH). This new agreement ensures the service will continue beyond 2026, giving much needed Team Around the Family support to families who have been affected by poverty, health, educational, relationship and parental challenges.

Since April 2022, 318 families have accessed the offer, receiving an assessment through the Early Help Hub to look at their individual needs, then being allocated a Barnardo’s keyworker to ensure the right help and support is provided at the right time.

Councillor Julia Jenkins, Cabinet Member for Social Services said;
“The Early Help Hub ensures families have their voices heard and have more control over what support they can access to improve their circumstances. The support plan is developed with the family, ensuring they have a say every step of the way.”

“We are proud that 92% of families who have accessed the support have reported vast improvements when they leave the service.

“This includes 164 family members seeing an improvement in their financial situation, and 268 seeing improvements in their mental emotional wellbeing. The statistics really do speak for themselves.”

Team Around the Family is just one of the packages of support on offer through our Early Help Hub, who have overall supported 2714 referrals since April 2022.

One of the families who accessed the service shared their experience with us;
“I would like to say a massive thank you to the key worker for supporting me through the hardest time of my life. With the help and support from the service I was able to finally get my life back on track. I am much better now mentally from all the support I have received.”

If you’re a local resident with children aged 0-18 years, we can support you with advice on:

- Housing
- Finance
- Physical Health
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Behaviour Challenges
- Education and Parenting
- Accessing activities and support within the local community

For more information, or to complete a self-referral:

01685 725000
EarlyHelp.Hub@merthyr.gov.uk