Welcome to the December 2025 edition of our Family Hubs newsletter!
Cheshire East Family Hubs look forward to welcoming you into our hubs during the Festive season!
Spotlight on...
International Day of Persons with Disabilities - 3rd December
Here at the Family Hubs we pride ourselves on inclusivity and the support provided for all families across the borough.
Our Little Stars group is a weekly session for Children aged 0-5 with both physical and social/emotional disabilities (Diagnosed or undiagnosed) and is a safe space and fun environment for them to play and explore and for their families to share experiences with others.
 The 0-19 service also provide SEND drop ins and bookable appointment slots with a specialist SEND professional. Some of these drop ins take place during the little stars groups.
See below for details and contact Oakenclough Family Hub on 01625 375180 or Ash Grove Family Hub on 01625 374484 for more information.
  The Local Offer is an online resource providing information and advice for children and adults on topics such as education, staying healthy, care, support and community activities, along with a directory of services available for your family.
We will be running Christmas themed activity's throughout December at all Stay and Play Sessions.
No need to book! Just turn up
 The Cheshire East HAF programme enables children and young people who are in receipt of income/benefits-related free school meals who live in Cheshire East or attend a Cheshire East school to attend free activities during the main school holidays, where nutritional food is also provided.
The festive season is a time for celebration and enjoyment but for some it can bring financial and mental stress.
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Don't suffer in silence- National Charity Helplines run throughout the festive season to provide vital support for those struggling.
Cheshire East also have a number of foodbanks supporting families over the Christmas period. Make sure to check their deadlines for applications so that you receive your parcel in time.
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Click the link to find your nearest foodbank and how you can access.
 A free Christmas lunch will be provided by Knutsford Lions for those who would be alone otherwise on Christmas day!
Please contact Knutsford Lions to book a place:07712 621249 or email knutsford.lions@virginmedia.com
 All Family Hubs will close from Christmas eve until the 2nd January with the exception of Knutsford Children Centre which will be open on the 29th, 30th and 31st December for health appointments. If you have any safeguarding concerns about a child please contact CHECS on 0300 123 5012.
 On 18th November, Cheshire East Participation Team and Cheshire East Youth Council hosted the first Voice of the Child Conference as part of November Children’s Rights Month—and it was a huge success!
This event was co-produced with young people, who helped shape the agenda, hosted the day, and even curated an inspiring art exhibition: “What Safe Means to Me”, showcasing creative work and the lived experiences of our children and young people from across Cheshire East.
What Happened?
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Young People Led the Way: Young people opened the conference, shared why listening to young voices matters and led an icebreaker activity.
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Workshops: Partners and professionals explored practical ways to embed participation and create safe spaces. Workshops were delivered by one of our Care Leaver Ambassadors, the Autism Team, Lead Practitioners and Youth Focus North West.
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Safe Space Checklist Launch: A new resource developed by Cheshire East Youth Council to help professionals make environments inclusive, safe, young person-led and hate-free.
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Art Exhibition: Powerful pieces showing what safety means to children and young people (as seen in photos above)
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Pledge Activity: Delegates committed to actions that will make a real difference to embedding participation.
 Applications are still open for children starting primary school. If you are a parent, with a child born between 1st September 2021 and 31st August 2022, your child will be due to start primary school in September 2026. Parents are strongly advised to apply for three preferences.
Applications must be submitted to the child’s home local authority by:
- 15 January 2026 for pupils starting primary in September 2026.
Parents still need to apply even if the child has a brother or sister already at the school or the child is attending a nursery/preschool attached to the school. Some faith schools may also require parents and carers to submit a supplementary information form/confirmation of baptism. Further information about this will be available on the school’s website.
Parents should consider how their child will travel to school when making preferences. Parents can find out about school transport at Home-to-school travel support for reception to year 11
To apply online and for further information please go to Application process for starting school in September or call 0300 123 5012.
Need help applying for your child's 2026 primary school place?
Pop in to one of our Family Help Drop-in's for support with our family help workers.
 Cheshire East Family Hubs are pleased to re-launch the Solihull Approach to emotional health and well-being - 'Togetherness'
The new brand name Togetherness reflects the essence of what the Solihull Approach is all about. With refreshed images, accessible graphics and a new website, the new resources align with our ever changing world.
Learning pathways include:
- Understanding pregnancy, labour and birth
- Understanding your baby
- Childhood development
- Neurodiversity and childhood feeling
- Understanding the teenage brain.
The online learning pathways are completely FREE for all Cheshire East residents.
For more advice and support contact your midwife, health visitor, school or local Family Hub!
We are happy to announce that Ash Grove Family Hub sensory room has had a revamp! If you would like to book an hour slot for FREE please contact Ash Grove Family Hub on 01625 374484.
 Instructions
- Grate the 80g cheese
- Put the butter or spread, flour and milk into a pan and bring to the boil over a medium heat, stirring continuously with a whist or wooden spoon until the sauce bubbles and thickens. Reduce the heat and allow to simmer for 2 minutes
- Add the grated cheese to the sauce and stir until it all melts. Add the black pepper.
Serving suggestions
Pour over cooked pasta such as macaroni.
Make a cauliflower or broccoli bake – cook the veggie’s to your liking, pour the cheese sauce over the top, add a little more grated cheese and pop in the oven till the cheese melts.
You can freeze the sauce for up to 3 months. Defrost on the fridge overnight and reheat thoroughly before serving.
Other serving suggestions are available on the Henry website
Common Approach to Children's Health
CATCH APP
 CATCH is a free NHS health app for parents and carers of children from pregnancy to age 5.
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