As your children grow, their needs will change. Your health visitor will help you until your child starts school. After that, we can keep supporting you through our family hub and Start for Life program.
Our start for life and family hubs offer booklet explains all the support available in Portsmouth for the early years and beyond.
Home-Start Portsmouth offers sessions for families with children over 2 years old. These sessions use the Solihull Approach to help you understand your child’s behaviour as they grow.
You need to book a spot. For details on upcoming sessions, visit Best Start In Life website, or email familyhubchampions@hsportsmouth.org.uk.
Helping children aged 3-5 years and their families get ready for school through fun and interactive play sessions by The Parenting Network.
You need to book a spot.
Sessions are held:
To book, visit The Parenting Network website.
There’s also a Get Set Go course every Friday from 10:00 to 11:30 am at Beacon View Primary Academy in Paulsgrove.
Helping children aged 3-5 years and mums up to 25 get ready for school through fun and interactive play sessions by The Parenting Network.
You need to book a spot.
Sessions are held every Thursday from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm at Buckland Family Hub.
To book, visit The Parenting Network website.
The Breastfeeding Network Support in Portsmouth.
Our team of peer supporters and volunteers are here to help you with your feeding journey. Whether you’re pregnant, combination feeding, expressing, exclusively breastfeeding, chestfeeding, have a newborn or toddler, ending your breastfeeding journey, or need to talk about a previous experience, we’re here for you. Everyone is welcome.
All our support is free and available both online and in person.
We offer:
To book antenatal sessions or request 1:1 breastfeeding support via Zoom, email bfnsouthcoast@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk.
For 1:1 Zoom requests, include a brief outline of your questions or concerns and the first half of your postcode. Our team will reply within 48 hours.
Our timetable changes between term time and school holidays. No booking is needed for face-to-face groups—just drop in.
Timetable
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Our support schedule may change, so please check our social media accounts for updates.
The National Breastfeeding Helpline is also available 365 days a year 0300 100 0212.
Drop-in to see an infant feeding specialist to support your breastfeeding journey. Delivered by Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust and Solent NHS Trust, and supported by The Breastfeeding Network, you can discuss maximising breastmilk for prolonged breastfeeding and get support with safe formula feeding.
The sessions are available:
To express an interest in attending, email the Family Hub Champions.
When your baby is about six months old, they can start eating solid foods along with breast or formula milk. The Parenting Network runs a relaxed and informal workshop to help you make the best choices for you and your baby.
You need to book a spot.
Sessions are held:
To book, please visit The Parenting Network website.
Home-Start Portsmouth runs sessions where parents can meet other families with children aged 0-5.
You need to book a spot.
Sessions are held:
To book, visit the Home-Start Portsmouth website.
Home-Start Portsmouth runs sessions for children with special educational needs and their families.
You need to book a spot.
Sessions are held:
To book, visit the Home-Start Portsmouth website.
Home-Start Portsmouth runs play sessions for LGBTQ+ families.
You need to book a spot.
Sessions are held:
To book, visit the Home-Start Portsmouth website.
Home-Start Portsmouth runs play sessions for Polish families.
You need to book a spot.
Sessions are held:
To book, visit the Home-Start Portsmouth website.
The Parenting Network runs a stay and play group for the whole family.
You need to book a spot.
Sessions are held:
To book, visit The Parenting Network website.
The Parenting Network runs a stay and play group for mums aged 25 and under.
You need to book a spot.
Sessions are held:
To book, visit The Parenting Network website.
There is also a Young Mums’ Club every Tuesday, 10-11:30am at Beacon View Primary Academy in Paulsgrove.
The Parenting Network runs fun and creative weekend groups for dads and father figures.
You need to book a spot.
Sessions are held:
To book, visit The Parenting Network website.
There is also a Dadzclub coffee morning every Monday, 9-10am at Beacon View Primary Academy in Paulsgrove.
Connor’s Toy Library runs play and toy loan sessions for families. It costs £3 per family.
Groups run during term-time, and you don’t need to book.
Sessions are held:
For more information, visit the Connors Toy Library website.
Families In Mind runs a group to support parents’ emotional wellbeing after having a baby.
Sessions are held:
Sessions run in six-week blocks and alternate between Family Hubs every six weeks.
To learn more or sign up, please email the Specialist Health Visiting Team or call 0300 123 6629.
Families In Mind runs a group to help parents with the transition to parenthood.
Sessions are held:
Sessions run in six-week blocks and alternate between Family Hubs every six weeks.
To learn more or sign up, please email the Specialist Health Visiting Team or call 0300 123 6629.
This session is for families already receiving support from the Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Sessions are held:
Solent NHS Trust runs sessions for anyone dealing with low mood, anxiety, or fatigue. Therapists and researchers offer talking therapies to help you cope and feel better.
Sessions are held:
To book, email Buckland Family Hub or call 023 9288 2588.
The Parenting Network runs evening discussions for dads to share experiences and tools to improve their journey of fatherhood.
You need to book a spot.
Sessions are held:
To book, visit The Parenting Network website.
There are some sessions that are still delivered through our Start for Life offer but run in other venues outside of Family Hubs. These include:
The Parenting Network runs fun and interactive sessions to support learning and school readiness for children aged 3-5 and their families.
You need to book a spot.
Sessions are held:
To book, visit The Parenting Network website.
Check our Family Hubs timetables to find out about classes, support, and events available to you.
Your health visitor will help you until your child starts school. They might arrange appointments at the Family Hubs. You can also find lots of support on Family Assist, an online platform with information and resources for parents and their families.
