Plans to reshape the family support services in the Forest of Dean have taken a significant step forward, with Gloucestershire Gateway Trust set up to manage two key children and family centres in the area. 

This development is part of a broader £35 million investment by Gloucestershire County Council, aimed at enhancing the network of support available to families across the county. 

The two centres in the Forest, under the new management of the Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, will be integral to the council’s vision of introducing the family hub model. These hubs are designed to act as one-stop shops, where families can easily access a wide range of support services under one roof.  

The new arrangement will also encourage closer collaboration with health partners, community groups, and voluntary services, making it simpler for local families to find the help they need, when they need it. 

The Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, a local charity known for its commitment to developing welcoming communities, will bring its extensive experience to these centres. They will work alongside Family Action and Aspire Foundation Trust, who were previously appointed to manage other centres in the county, to deliver these crucial services. 

The trust’s involvement is expected to bring services closer to the community, ensuring that families and children in the Forest have a greater say in the support they receive. 

Cllr Stephen Davies, cabinet member for children’s safeguarding and early years at Gloucestershire County Council, highlighted the importance of this initiative for the Forest of Dean: “We are committed to reducing inequalities and ensuring that families in the Forest of Dean receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time. The new centres will play a key role in this.” 

Mark Gale, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Gateway Trust,said: “We are very excited to work with the county council to bring these important facilities and services much closer to local communities ensuring that families and children have a much greater influence over them.” 

As the new contract begins in April 2025, families in the Forest of Dean can look forward to a more integrated and accessible support system tailored to meet the unique needs of their community.