Family Hub

Welcome the the Lincolnshire Recovery College Family Hub!

Free courses for parents and expectant parents to support mental health and wellbeing.

The Family Hub Programme provides short courses for individuals who are within the perinatal period (pre-natal or postpartum) with a child who is up to 2 years old.

The courses, aimed to help support you with your wellbeing and mental health, will be delivered in bite sized sections lasting one hour and are run by people who have real life experience of mental health and wellbeing challenges related to the perinatal period alongside healthcare professionals and educators.

The courses include signposting and support, are relaxed and informal and children are welcome.

These courses are free to attend and will be held in the Children's centres across Lincolnshire that have been designated as Family hubs. We will also offer the sessions online via MS Teams.

Family Hub peer support groups

What is a peer support group?

Peer support groups are run by peer support workers, who have their own lived experiences of mental health, which offers a form of non-clinical self-management of mental health and well-being. These peer support groups will last for 6 consecutive weeks. Our peer support groups offer an opportunity for individuals to gather in a safe and confidential environment. Enabling one another to share their challenges and be valued by the support of the group.

Who can access a peer support group?

Our peer support groups are available from the start of pregnancy, parents (with a child up until the age of 2 years) and expectant parents. The peer support group can offer empowering support to those who do not meet the criteria for other services. Our clinician will make assessments for those who experience mild-moderate mental health challenges. Access can be made via self-referral or through a referral by either an Early Years Practitioner, Health Visitor, Midwife, Early Help Team, or the Perinatal Mental Health Team.

What is the purpose of a peer support group?

Our peer support groups will encourage open discussion, variation of themed weeks and activities. Through being run by peer support workers this enables the individuals to receive relatable support and understanding. There will be no clinical interventions, but a strong focus on the individual’s well-being and self-management.

Family Hub courses

Managing mood changes as a parent

Has becoming pregnant or been a new parent got you running on empty? All of us experience times when our mood dips and we lose our sparkle. However, it is ok to not be ok and sometimes it can be hard to accept. Throughout this course we will explore the differences between low moods and depression, support available, some of the challenges parenthood brings and discover ways to help manage our mood. It is always important to kind to ourselves especially during parenthood!

Managing worries and fears as a parent

Do you often feel you have to paint on a happy face? Feeling drained inside? We are all familiar with the feeling’s anxiety can bring about, especially during pregnancy and when becoming a new parent. Many thoughts race through our minds and this can become challenging. Throughout this course we will explore what anxiety is and at what point it can become a problem. Understand how you manage your symptoms could in fact fuel anxiety. You will discover ways in which you can self-manage your feelings and discover what support there is available. 

Living more in the Moment

Finding it hard to find time for yourself after becoming a new parent? Are all your ‘to do lists’ during your pregnancy becoming overwhelming? Throughout this session we will explore the ancient practice of mindfulness. We will share some basic activities which will help to keep you grounded and enjoy the special moments pregnancy and parenthood has to offer. You will rediscover the little things we forget about which could remind us to be present in the precious moments.

Regaining resilience for parents

This introductory session for new and expectant parents will offer some basic top tips in maintaining your well-being during these challenging and changing times. We will briefly explore themes around sleep, exercise, connectivity to others, kindness to ourselves and the importance of structure and routine in managing our own well-being.

5 ways to wellbeing

Together as expectant and new parents, we will understand the changes that happen to us when we become pregnant and after birth.  We will look at the impact of having a new baby. Learn more about anxiety, low mood, and depression during pregnancy and after birth. Look at some of the myths and facts surrounding pregnancy and birth. Who/what can help during and after pregnancy. We will identify what support is available. 

Being Dad

Is the thought of being a new DAD overwhelming? Are you struggling to bond with baby? Do you have concerns or anxieties about your role as a dad?

If so then ‘Being Dad’ is the course for you. During this course we will look at some of the typical questions DAD’s ask throughout pregnancy and in those early days after your little one arrives. We will look at what being a Dad involves and how you can best support your partner. We will also look at the ways in which you can look after your own wellbeing. We will look at financial issues, coping with work stresses at home and at work, we will learn to recognise what you are doing well with and the areas where you need that little extra help. Being Dad isn’t easy, but you can do it.

Family Hub locations

• Lincoln North Children’s Centre, Welbourn Gardens, Lincoln, LN2 2DD
• Lincoln St Giles Children’s Centre, Lamb Gardens, Lincoln, LN2 4NP
• Gainsborough Market Arcade, Market Arcade, Heaton Street, Gainsborough, DN21 2DY
• Birchwood Children’s Centre, Birchwood Avenue, Birchwood, Lincoln, LN6 0JE
• Sleaford Children’s Centre, Money's Mill Complex, Carre Street, Sleaford, NG34 7TW
• Swingbridge Children’s Centre, Trent Road, Grantham, NG31 7XQ
• Skegness Children’s Centre, Brunswick Drive, Skegness, PE25 2QT
• Mablethorpe Children’s Centre, Stanley Avenue, Mablethorpe, LN12 1DP 
• Norfolk Lodge Children’s Centre, 27 Norfolk Street, Boston, PE21 6PW
• Spalding, Banks Avenue, Spalding, PE11 2JG

Family Hub timetable