£1.31 million boost for Rochdale families through Start for Life initiative

Families across the borough of Rochdale are set to benefit from a significant £1.31 million funding boost as part of the government’s Start for Life programme.

The initiative aims to support parents and young children from pregnancy to the age of two, focusing on crucial early development.

The funding, earmarked for the 2025/26 financial year, will strengthen Rochdale’s Family Hub network, a cornerstone of community support.

These hubs act as essential one-stop centres for families, providing assistance with mental health, infant feeding, parenting skills, and access to local resources tailored to their needs.

 

 

Rochdale MP Paul Waugh welcomed the announcement, highlighting the transformative impact it could have on local families. "This investment is fantastic news for Rochdale," he said.

"It reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring every child has the best start in life, regardless of background. The early years are critical for a child’s development, and this funding will empower families in our community with the support and resources they need to thrive."

The Start for Life programme is part of a larger £126 million national initiative targeting areas with high levels of deprivation. It aims to address long-standing challenges such as health inequalities and school readiness, ensuring children across the country have the foundations for a brighter future.

Rochdale’s focus will be on closing gaps in service access, with the additional funding enabling more comprehensive and community-centred support. This comes at a time when many parents face barriers to accessing vital early-years services, something the initiative seeks to address directly.

 

 

Heywood and Middleton North MP Elsie Blundell also praised the funding, which includes support for areas within her constituency. She said, "An extra £1.3 million for areas like Heywood and Middleton North in this borough is very welcome news and a commitment to our future generations that we will give them the best possible start in life.

"Raising a child, for all the love and joy in the home, can also be a difficult time. Giving families more support between pregnancy and the age of two can be transformational in the wellbeing of both the child and parents.

"This is why I got into politics, and it is very exciting news."

This funding underscores Rochdale’s ongoing commitment to investing in its youngest residents, ensuring that every family, regardless of their circumstances, has access to the resources they need during the pivotal early years of a child’s life.