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July 2026

Welcome to your latest newsletter from the Family Hubs and Best Start in Life.

As we approach the school holidays, there are lots of FREE events and activities being organised across the Bradford district to keep children of all ages entertained and occupied. From the Family Hubs, to our district's parks and libraries, and the HAF (holiday activities and food) sessions, we bring you a round up of some of the best free activities you can take the kids to this summer.

This summer is giving us some of the UK's hottest temperatures on record, so please stay safe this summer. While the air might feel very warm, the water in outdoor spaces such as lakes is much, much colder than when we're on holiday abroad, and can be very dangerous. Please talk to your young people, particularly tweens and teenagers, about staying safe. There is some helpful information here to prompt conversations: Water Safety for Teenagers | Royal Life Saving Society UK.

And while we are taking about safety, all the family can benefit from enjoying the sun safely - 'slip on a t-shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat' as the saying goes - read on for more tips.

As always, in this newsletter we bring helpful news, support, information about free activities for families across the Bradford District, links to the FYI website, links to the Family Hub timetables and lots more. 

Please take a look at our newsletter and share with anyone who might find it useful.

News for families and colleagues

Summer in the Family Hubs... and beyond!

This summer our district's Family Hubs have organised lots of free fun days and activities for families with children of all ages.

From Yorkshire Day, to picnics in the park, summer sports, carnival themes and more, the events will bring lots of variety, with:  

• Free activities and play for children all ages
• Free refreshments
• Meet family navigators and other help and support
• Come along, relax and play together

While the events will be suitable for children all ages, for those of you with under 5s who will soon be starting school, there will also be fun activities specially designed to help your child with the small steps to starting school reception.

All the places, dates and times, and further details about each event are on the FYI website on the What's On guide. More events are still being added in some areas, so keep checking back, on the What's On guide, and on the Family Hub timetables, and you can also follow your nearest hub on Facebook to keep up to date.

Hope to see you there!

FREE Play in the Park this summer

Bradford District's wonderful parks will be the place to go this summer, with over 50 FREE Play In Park and Mini Bounce Planet sessions taking place all across the district.

• Play in the Park: 2 amazing inflatables, plus sports and play equipment accompanied by a resident DJ
• Mini Bounce Planet: 4 fantastic inflatables in total - 2 for over 5s and 2 for under 5s!

These sessions have been generously funded by local Town, Parish and Village Councils, and are free for all families to attend. 

The events, happening almost daily at different locations, are great for all the family! They all run from 11am to 3pm.

All the dates and locations are listed in the What's On guide on the FYI website, where you can search by postcode to see what's closest to you. What's on - Play in the Park.

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) returns for summer

If your child gets benefits-related free school meals, you can take advantage of more free activities and experiences during the summer school holidays with the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

There are more than 100 HAF holiday clubs running this summer, offering a huge range of fun activities at venues across the district.

Places are free for:

• children who live in the Bradford district and are eligible for benefits-related free school meals
• children in the Bradford District with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).

All children get a free healthy meal while at the club.

Places are limited and filling up fast so, take a look at what is on offer and book now to avoid missing out. Learn more about HAF and book a club

Please note the booking method is different if your child has SEND needs, but does not receiving benefits-related free school meals. Further details are available on the HAF webpage. 

Play Connect - free sessions for under 5s this summer

Come along to a Play Connect summer workshop at your local library. 

With a variety of themes and activities, there is something for all children aged 0 to 5!

• Ready Steady Reception workshops will run throughout July, for children who will be starting school in September.
• All about me! - nurturing session to help you connect with your baby/toddler through play - for 0 to 2 years (sessions in August).
• Dragon School with Zog - an enchanting play adventure for all children age 2 to 5 (sessions in August).
• Nurture Nest - create your very own baby bird - for children all ages 0 to 5 (sessions in August).

Come along to play, connect and explore. Play Connect Events. 

Maternity Circles – keeping you connected through the summer

Pregnant families, and families with young babies, often feel there is a lack of support available during the long summer school holidays. Come along to your local Maternity/Baby Circle, as sessions are running through the summer!

Maternity and Baby Circles support families from pregnancy right up until when baby is 2 years old. 

Circles offer a free, welcoming and supportive space for parents and parents-to-be. They have a wide range of support, from self-care activities, to advice from health professionals, and help with early parenthood.

Above all they are a friendly group where you can meet others for a cuppa, a chat and take part in the free activities provided. Please note, all babies and children attending must be under 2 years old.

You can use this link to see all the Circles taking place across the district: Maternity/Baby circles. Use the filters to find a venue closest to you or a day that you are free. 

It's getting hot in here! Keep your baby safe in hot weather

As the temperatures rise (again), here are 9 tips to stay safe and hydrated with your baby or young child this summer.

• If you’re breastfeeding, your baby may want to breastfeed more than usual.
• Bottle fed babies can have a small drink of cooled, boiled water.
• Babies/toddlers over 6 months can have sips of water to keep hydrated.
• Use a sunshade or parasol to shade your pushchair. Never cover with a blanket.
• Small babies should be kept out of direct sun.
• Babies/toddlers over 6 months can wear sunscreen, but should keep out of the sun at the hottest times.
• Never leave babies or children in a parked car, as they can get too hot very quickly.
• Keep rooms in your house airy, and close curtains for shade. Close windows if it's hotter outside than inside.
• Look after yourself as well! Drink plenty of water or soft drinks and enjoy the shade with your children.

So while you enjoy the lovely weather, please keep yourself and your children safe. 

For more tips, find trusted NHS information here: Keeping your baby safe in the sun - NHS

Is your child ready to learn?

Your school nursing team wants to help you give your child great start to their learning journey.

If your child will reach school-age between now and September 2026, the team invite you to one of these helpful “Ready to Learn” sessions.

The team will be sharing tips and advice so your child can:

• Get dressed on their own - putting on and taking off their coat
• Eat without help using a knife, fork and spoon
• Go to the toilet without help
• Listen to their teacher - you'll find out how to help your child concentrate and engage in school, as well as the importance of sleep and bedtime routine
• Get ready to write - for example using a crayon for colouring or drawing
• Feel confident and happy - so they settle quicker when you leave them at school.

Book an appointment for your child!

Individual sessions are available on the dates below, between the times shown. Please phone Bradford District Care Trust on 01274 221203 to book your child's place.

• Wednesday, 15 July: Gateway Family Hub - 9.30am to 4pm
• Thursday, 23 July: Reevy Hill Family Hub - 9.30am to 4pm
• Tuesday, 28 July: Rainbow Family Hub - 9.30am to 4pm
• Wednesday, 5 August: Farcliffe Family Hub - 9.30am to 4pm
• Thursday, 13 August: Shipley Library - 9.30am to 4pm
• Wednesday, 19 August: TFD Family Hub - 9.30am to 4pm
• Wednesday, 26 August: Barkerend Family Hub - 9.30am to 4pm

You can also browse these sessions on the FYI website: Ready to Learn

Incredible Years pre-school for children age 3 to 4 - new dates from September 

Incredible Years pre-school is ideal to help your child get ready to start school reception - an important milestone in your child's life. The programme also explores all aspects of your child’s development at ages 3 to 4.

The programme, for mums, dads and carers with a child age 3 or 4, will be available from September 2026 on the following days / venues:

Mondays

• Farcliffe Family Hub, BD8 8QH (Bradford West) – Monday, 21 September 2026 to 25 January 2027 – 9:30am - 11:30am 
• Knowleswood Primary School, Knowles Lane BD4 9AE (Bradford South) – Monday, 21 September 2026 to 25 January 2027 - 12:30pm - 2:30pm

Tuesdays

• Brathay Trust, Cathedral Halls, Stott Hill BD1 4EH (Bradford West) – Tuesday, 22 September 2026 to 26 January 2027 – 9:30 - 11:30am (Urdu speaking group with interpreters)
• Barkerend Family Hub, BD3 8QX (Bradford East) - Tuesday 22 September 2026 to 26 January 2027  - 12:30pm - 2:30pm

Wednesdays

• CommunityWorks, Undercliffe Street, BD3 0DW (Bradford East) – Wednesday 23 September 2026 to 27 January 2027 – 9:30am - 11:30am
• Woodside Family Centre, Fenwick Drive BD6 2PG (Bradford South) - Wednesday 23 September 2026 to 27 January 2027 – 12:30pm - 2:30pm

Thursdays

• Rainbow Family Hub, Braithwaite Grove, Keighley BD22 6JB (Keighley/Shipley) – Thursday 24 September 2026 to 28 January 2027 – 9:30am - 11:30am 
• St Edmunds Nursery School, BD8 9QW (Bradford West) - Thursday 24 September 2026 to 28 January 2027 – 12:30pm - 2:30pm

The programme has 13 sessions. Sessions will not run in the school holidays (October 26 to 30 and 21 December to 1 January). Families can attend any venue - whichever works best for you. The programme can offer support with transport if needed.

Parents who attended recent groups said they are now:

• Feeling calmer
• Spending more quality time with their child
• Using more praise
• Managing challenging situations more confidently
• Tackling toilet training, bedtimes, and mealtimes more effectively
• and experiencing many other positive changes

Please apply on the FYI website: Incredible Years form.

You can also call on 01274 513300 or email IY@barnardos.org.uk.

There is more information, including quotes from parents who have done the course, on the FYI website: Incredible Years Preschool.

New free programme for families, to support with relationships and family life

Having children brings joy and fun into our lives, but can also feel stressful and challenging.

Are different parenting styles, difficulty with communicating, or other tensions creating pressure in your family?

Keeping Your Child in Mind is a free, 4-week group programme, to help parents and carers work together in ways which support growing children and a calmer family life.

The group is flexible - you can attend as a couple, or one parent/carer can attend on your own, or with another relative or friend.

Positive feedback from parents doing this course:

• “I feel closer to my children as I can understand them now”
• “Even if you only learn one thing, it will improve your relationship/home environment, making a more positive life for your children”

You must be able to attend all 4 sessions to get the most benefit.

All attendees will receive a free ‘Keeping Your Child in Mind’ parent booklet. Free tea and coffee at each session.

The next in-person group programme is as follows:

• Kirkgate Centre, Shipley, BD18 3EH
• Wednesday, 29 July to Wednesday, 19 August
• Each session - 10am to 12pm

This programme is open to all families in the Bradford district. Shipley is on various bus routes including the 60 from Keighley and the 612, 622, 626 and 633 from Bradford. Public car parking is available in Shipley.

There is also an online group taking place in October:

• Online - MS Teams
• Monday 5 October to Monday 26 October
• Each session - 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

If you are interested in this programme, please apply now, as more dates and locations are being planned for the autumn and onwards. The locations and times of future groups will be based on people's preferences on the request form. 

Find out more and fill out the request form on the FYI website and we'll be in touch.

SEND 'Life Admin' sessions for parents and carers

A friendly, parent‑led drop‑in session, for families with a child with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities). 

• Support from a parent-volunteer with lived experience of the SEND system - get help with checking of paperwork e.g. EHCPs, benefits forms and other admin.
• Meet the Family Navigators and sign up for a hub membership (free goodie bag for new members).
• Free use of laptops and printers for SEND forms.
• Join us for a free cuppa and a chat.
• Children welcome!

Dates are booked for sessions from September to December, at various locations around the district. No need to book, just turn up. 

• Thursday, 10 September 10.00am - 12.00pm at TFD Family Hub
• Thursday, 8 October 10.00 - 12.00am at Shipley Library
• Thursday, 12 November 10.00am - 12.00pm at Barkerend Family Hub
• Thursday, 10 December 10.00am - 12.00pm at Cafe West

For more information visit SEND support in Family Hubs.

Next SEND Marketplace at Barkerend Family Hub

Our Family Hubs across the district are hosting SEND Marketplace drop-in events every month throughout 2026.

The next SEND marketplace will be at Barkerend Family Hub, on Monday, 27 July, from 1pm to 3pm.

Come along for advice, support and to discuss any concerns you have with specialist services including Carer's Resource, SENDIASS, Bradford district's Local Offer, the Family Hub's Family Navigators, and more.

There will be support available on themes that matter most to parents and carers, including Autism/ADHD, finance/benefits, speech and language, relationship issues, sleeping difficulties, and education. 

More dates from August:

• 24 August, 9.30am to 12.30pm, at Farcliffe Family Hub
• 25 September, 2pm to 4.30 pm, at Reevy Hill Family Hub
• 26 October, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm, at Rainbow Family Hub
• 30 November, 1 to 3pm at Barkerend Family Hub
• 21 December, 9.30am to 12.30 pm, at Farcliffe Family Hub

More information and all the dates are here: SEND support in Family Hubs.

Support for families through Keighley Healthy Living

Keighley Healthy Living, our partner organisation at the lovely Keighley Community and Family Hub offers a range of friendly, supportive sessions for families across pregnancy and early parenthood, helping you feel informed, confident and connected.

Keighley Maternity Circles provide welcoming spaces for pregnant families, new parents and babies to build a supportive social network and access advice on maternal wellbeing, baby health and development, and offer practical support. Baby weighing and professional guidance are available at every session. Visit Maternity Circles-Keighley, Silsden & Ilkley | Facebook to keep up to date with times and locations.

Baby Day Mondays run weekly (excluding bank holidays) at Keighley Community & Family Hub, Airedale Shopping Centre (BD21 3QD), from 9:30am–2:00pm. These drop-in sessions offer baby weighing, feeding support, safe sleep, and weaning advice, plus a calm space to feed your baby. Health Visitor clinics (1st and 3rd Mondays) and breastfeeding support (2nd and 4th Mondays) are also available.

For expectant parents, the monthly KHL Evening Pregnancy Group at Scott Street (BD21 2JH), provides relaxed support from midwives and facilitators, including newborn care and breastfeeding guidance.

For more information contact: 01535 677177 or admin@khl.org.uk.

Screen-Free Fun for Under Fives

In today’s digital world, screens are a part of everyday life, but recent guidance from Best Start in Life highlights the importance of limiting screen time for young children. The guidance recommends that children under 2 should avoid screen time except for shared activities that encourage bonding, interaction and conversation. For children aged 2 to 5, screen use should be limited to around one hour a day, with less being even better.

So, what can families do instead?

That’s where 50 Things to Do Before You’re Five comes in. This exciting initiative offers 50 low-cost or free activities designed to help young children learn, play and reach important developmental milestones. The programme makes it easy for families to discover fun, screen-free experiences that can be enjoyed close to home.

Through its website and app, parents can explore a wide range of activities at their own pace, finding simple ways to bring play, learning and adventure into everyday family life.

For Early Years practitioners, 50 Things to Do Before You’re Five is also a valuable resource for encouraging families to swap screen time for play time. The team have lots of resources to support those conversations with parents and practitioners here: Less Screen Time, More Play Time.

Explore the Events tab

One of the most loved features of the 50 Things app and website is the Events tab. Events are split into ‘one off’ and ‘ongoing’ events so parents can find something to fit into their family plans. The best thing? All events listed are low or no cost! 50 Things update the events regularly so families can find and explore the best events happening in their local communities, without it costing a fortune.

To find even more ideas, events, and inspiration, explore 50 Things to Do | Bradford. Discover activities, local events, and learn how our ideas support children’s learning, development and wellbeing through play.

Kids can play out with Play Streets this summer

Are you looking for a free way to get the kids away from screens and outside in the fresh air, having fun chatting and playing with friends?

If you live in Bradford or are a community based organisation operating in the district, you can apply to the council for permission to temporarily close your street to through traffic for 1-3 hours. This creates a ‘Play Street’ – a space right outside your front door where children can play and have fun with their friends!  Take a look at the website for more information: Play Streets.

Apply now for Free Childcare for Working Parents – September 2026 start

Do you have a child who will be starting childcare (e.g. nursery or registered childminder) in September? You may be able to get up to 30 hours of free childcare a week through the ‘Free Childcare for Working Parents’ scheme. The childcare must be provided by a registered provider, such as a nursery, playscheme or school. You can search for local childcare options on the FYI website: Find Early Education and childcare.

Your child must be at least 9 months old by 31 August, and if your application is successful, you will receive your code before 31 August 2026, which is the deadline for a September start.

To apply now, you’ll need your National Insurance number and will need to set up a GOV.UK childcare account. Once approved, you’ll be given an 11-digit code to confirm your eligibility. You will then need to share this code with your chosen childcare provider.

To find out more about Early Education and childcare in Bradford district, visit: www.bradford.gov.uk/childcare.

School anxiety - 'emotionally based school avoidance' - new parent/carer groups available for 2026-27 

• Is your child struggling to go to school due to feelings of worry or stress?
• Are you unsure about what to do?

Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), happens when children and young people have worries and difficulties around attending school.

For helpful support, you can join the friendly Parent Support Group with the Educational Psychology Team. You’ll find a safe space to:

• Share and listen to other mums, dads and carers, and get ideas to help
• Learn more about what you can do to support your child, and what you can expect from school

SIX new 4-week groups have been set up for the school year 2026 to 2027 (shown in date order):

• Online - Wednesday, 30 September 2026 to Wednesday 21 October 2026, 1pm to 2.30pm.
• Café West, Wanstead Crescent, Allerton, BD15 7PA, Wednesday, 11 November 2026 to Wednesday, 2 December 2026, 1pm to 2.30pm.
• Online - Wednesday, 13 January 2027 to Wednesday, 3 February 2027, 1pm to 2.30pm.
• Barkerend Family Hub, 365 Barkerend Road, BD3 8QX, Wednesday, 3 March 2027 to Wednesday, 24 March 2027, 1pm to 2.30pm.
• Online - Wednesday 21 April to Wednesday 12 May 2027, 1pm to 2.30pm.
• Reevy Hill Family Hub, Bedale Drive, Bradford, BD6 3ST - Wednesday 10 June 2027 until Wednesday 7 July 2027, 1pm to 2.30pm.

To book: email EBSA@bradford.gov.ukEBSA@bradford.gov.uk or call 01274 439444.

You will need to be able to attend all 4 sessions.

It doesn't matter where in the Bradford District you live - all sessions open to all families in the district. Find out more on the FYI website - EBSA sessions. 

Support for moving up to high school

Do you have a child moving up to secondary school in September?

Now is a great time to start supporting your child, as this next step gets closer.

There are lots of free resources available from Togetherness.

This includes online information - and a number of pathways (online learning) that you can follow for FREE with the access code BDPARENTS.

The pathways you may find useful include:

• Understanding your child: from toddler to teenager
• Understanding your teenager’s brain
• Moving up to secondary school for children with additional needs

The online information, that you can browse without the commitment of starting a course, includes various articles and videos. These resources include practical advice from a primary headteacher and consultant clinical psychologist. You can find this here: Moving up - Togetherness. 

Find out more about Togetherness

Whether you're a mum, dad, carer, parent-to-be, grandparent or teenager, Togetherness offers trusted online learning across a range of themes, providing support with relationships, emotional health, and parenting.

The Togetherness website is completely FREE to use for everyone in the Bradford District, with the access code BDPARENTS.

Find out more on the Togetherness website. You can also find Togetherness on the parenting programmes pathway on the FYI website, where you can also explore other support that is available. 

Information, news and training
for professionals and practitioners

‘Togetherness’ - toolkit resources available online

Togetherness online learning offers a growing number of free courses (known as 'pathways') on themes around emotional wellbeing, relationships, and parenting.

The courses are aimed at all ages and stages of family life, and are FREE for everybody in the Bradford District, using the code BDPARENTS.

Did you know there is a set of free resources to help you share the great news of this fantastic offer with your colleagues and the families you support.

All these resources are on the FYI website, available for you to download and use. These include:

• Togetherness  printable posters in 2 designs - an A4, printable posters, to  promote the online offer across all ages and stages: Togetherness ‘Tried and Tested’ poster; Togetherness 'Here for Big Feelings' poster.
• Wording and images for newsletters and social media
• Togetherness digital screens - for display on digital screens /TVs in any appropriate area, e.g. waiting rooms, reception areas etc. Please use the whole pack, or select individual slides as preferred. Download screens.
• Togetherness presentation (for workforce). Available as a PowerPoint presentation and accessible PDF for colleagues in all Bradford District organisations. The presentation explains what is available from Togetherness and how to access it. Download workforce presentation PDF.

You can browse the toolkit in full at Togetherness - communications toolkit. We will add more resources, as these become available.

Why not join the growing number of people using Togetherness pathways?

A growing number of colleagues are following Togetherness pathways, whether to support you as a parent, or to get a better understanding of the offer for families. Find out more and sign up here: Bradford District | Togetherness. Remember - all resources are completely FREE to use for everyone in the Bradford District, with the access code BDPARENTS.

Colleagues and partners may use a work postcode to access courses, if you don't live in the district. Please note the pathways are also available in some neighbouring local authority areas - please check locally for more information. 

Talking Bradford early language training for professionals

Talking Bradford is here to support you too!

Did you know that a child's communication skills underpin almost everything they do - from making friends and managing emotions, to learning, reading and achieving at school?

To help build confidence across the children's workforce, Talking Bradford has developed a new Early Language and Communication training session. Delivered in partnership with Bradford Speech and Language Therapy colleagues, and closely aligned to the online offer from Speech and Language UK, the training provides an accessible introduction to early language development and practical ways to support children and families.

Who is the training for?

This free training is for anyone working with children under five and their families, whether in:

• Family Hubs
• Early Years settings
• Health services
• Community organisations
• Wider support roles, libraries museums and more

The training forms part of our ambition to create consistent messages and joining up the support across the Bradford district.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants praising the practical advice, resources and clear signposting available.

Sessions are running throughout the summer and across the district, with dates currently in the diary until September.

For more information please reach out to Helen, Talking Bradford Lead at helen.rush@bdct.nhs.uk.

Or use the link to find out dates, locations and book your place: Talking Bradford Early Language & Communication training.

Family Hubs and Best Start in Life
useful information and contacts

Family Hub timetables - July 2026

Our Family Hub area timetables, on the FYI website, show the sessions and activities that are taking place for families in the coming month.

Some sessions will need booking in advance - please contact your Family Hub if you would like to book a place.

Our Family Hubs around the district

Follow us on Facebook You can follow the FYI service and all the Family Hubs on Facebook: Bradford East  Bradford West Bradford South Keighley/Shipley FYI - Families and Young Person's Information

Newsletter - past issues

We hope you enjoy the Best Start in Life newsletter. With over 7,000 subscribers, we think it's one of the best ways of keeping up to date with what’s happening for families across the Bradford District!

The great news is you can now catch up with the latest issues (and a full archive of past newsletters) on the FYI website. Visit the new newsletters page today and stay connected!

What's on guide - on FYI

The FYI (Families and Young Person's Information) website has a What's On guide, which is kept up-to-date with events around the district for families, children and young people.

There are various filters to help you search, including by date, post code, age group and event category.

You can also search by 'key word' to find what you are interested in - just use the 'Search' function while you are on the What's On page. 

Take a look and find out what's happening near you!

Why have I received this email?

You have received this email from Family Hubs and Start for Life because you previously subscribed to receive Family Hub Information from one or more of our Family Hubs: Keighley and Shipley, Bradford East, Bradford South and Bradford West.

Stay subscribed to make sure you don't miss out on any future updates! 

If you have been sent this email by someone else, you can sign up for future emails here: