We are pleased to share the 2nd edition of our Start for Life brochure with you! Thank you everyone who contributed to the content and feedback to shape this new version.  

You can click here or scan the QR code to view the brochure. Please share this widely with families, colleagues and community partners. 

We also encourage colleagues and families to complete the survey on the back of the brochure; you could win £500 worth of early years goodies!  

Scan the QR code or click here to complete this survey.  

Winter of Food and Fun 

Southwark’s Winter of Food and Fun will run across the winter holidays (22nd December – 2nd January), offering free places for children between the ages of 4 – 16 years receiving benefits-related free school meals. 

We are partnering with local holiday clubs across the borough to provide an exciting programme of food and activities for children and young people.  

Each programme will provide: 

• Free, nutritious and tasty food
• Fun physical activity sessions
• A wide range of other enriching activities to suit different ages and personalities
• Opportunities to learn more about food and nutrition 

Bookings are now open for eligible children and can be made at www.eequ.org/southwarkfoodandfun. 

Our aim is to contact all children who are eligible in Southwark to let them know about the free places available. Please share the flyer and booking link with families who are eligible for the programme. For more information, please email HAF@southwark.gov.uk.  

Last Friday, Coin Street were asked to host a senior government minister attending a press conference. Five parents were invited to meet the visitor and share their experiences of local early years provision.  

It was later confirmed that this was Prime Minister Keir Starmer! The visit focused on the 30 hours of free childcare entitlement and the Best Start in Life initiative. Although brief, the session provided a valuable opportunity for parents to give some powerful feedback about the quality of early years support at Coin Street. 

Well done to Coin Street, their team and the parents involved for showcasing their amazing work and experiences! 

You can view the clip from the visit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2xwMOcfyQ8 

Housing drop-ins for families (No appointment needed) 

A reminder that housing Support continues in 2 of our Best Start Family Hubs! Our housing experts are now offering advice to families on a range of housing needs at South Bermondsey and Rye Oak Best Start Family Hubs, every second Wednesday of every month, 9:30 - 4pm.  

How can the housing team support families:  

• Preventing homelessness
• Understanding housing applications
• Solving renting problems 
• General housing advice 

For more information on Housing, click here. 

MP Laura & Councillor Ali visit Breathe’s Melodies group 

MP for Aylesbury Laura Kyrke-Smith, and Southwark Councillor Jasmine Ali attended Breathe AHR's Melodies 4 Mums group at South Bermondsey Family Hub on 20th November, to learn more about the ground-breaking research behind it and its impact on young families in Southwark. 

Laura is passionate about highlighting the urgent need for improved support for mothers and advocates for expanding specialist perinatal services across the UK. The weekly Melodies 4 Mums group sessions at South Bermondsey Best Start Family Hub have been proven to energise and uplift new parents, helping to improve self-confidence and strengthen the bond between parent and baby. Well done to everyone involved!  

New sessions are commencing in January 2026 

Programme Details:  

South Bermondsey Children and Family Hub 
When: Thursdays 
Dates: From Tuesday 29th Jan to Tuesday 2nd April 2026 
Time: From 1.30 to 2.30 pm OR 3 to 4 pm 

Find out more here