Mapping for Change

Project Overview

Some councils across the UK have already embraced the concept of Family Hubs, and now, we are excited to help introduce this transformative approach to health and social care to the city of Leicester. Family Hubs are specially designed to cater to the unique needs of families, encompassing care services from pregnancy and prenatal care through to young adulthood. They place particular emphasis on the critical development period from conception to 2 years of age, recognising the potential for optimising a child’s early years to provide a strong foundation for their future well-being. 

What Are Family Hubs? 

Leicester Family Hubs will serve as a bridge that bring together various organisations, services, and resources, making it easier for families to access the care and support they need. 

This government-funded initiative adopts a holistic and integrated approach, aiming to support various aspects of child and family development, including physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and behavioural well-being. In essence, Leicester Family Hubs will offer comprehensive family support services, extending their reach through both physical and virtual resources. 

Our Mission 

At Mapping for Change, we are committed to consulting with Leicester’s diverse communities to develop a thorough understanding of their unique needs and lived experiences while accessing health and care services. We will conduct a needs assessment that delves into the perspectives of patients, service users, and their extended networks of parents, carers, families, and loved ones. To accomplish this, we will undertake a thorough engagement process, ensuring that every voice is heard and accounted for. 

Recognising the power of collaboration and community engagement, we will work closely with NGOs in the Leicester area to harness local knowledge and networks. Our partners include Team Hub, Women 4 Change, and the Zinthiya Trust. Building on the local knowledge we gained from our previous Leicestershire-based project, People Zones, we aim to create a powerful network of support for the city’s families. 

Engagement and Consultation 

Our approach to engagement and consultation is diverse and inclusive. We will engage directly with frontline health and social care providers to gain insights into the local landscape from a service delivery standpoint; exploring community assets, potential opportunities, and driving forces for positive change. We will also address perceived gaps in current service provisions, barriers to accessing services, and the specific needs and challenges that families are facing day-to-day. 

Our methods will involve a mixed approach that combines in-person and online engagement events, with invitations extended to various known stakeholders and the wider public. The Community Maps platform will host a detailed map of available services and community perceptions. 

Data-Driven Decision-Making 

We understand the power of data in informing decisions. Our unique participatory approach, community mapping, will combine the data gathered from our extensive engagement efforts with desk-based research, both qualitative and quantitative. This mapping will help us pinpoint any gaps in the current offerings, ensuring we address the needs of Leicester’s families effectively and that our findings are easily understood and disseminated.  

As we embark on this journey to bring a Family Hubs to Leicester, we are dedicated to putting families at the heart of this transformation, empowering them with the resources and support they need to thrive and ensuring that Leicester’s youngest residents receive the best possible start in life. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting initiative and how you can get involved in shaping the future of Leicester Family Hubs.  

If you have questions or wish to participate, please email us at info@mappingforchange.org.uk