Staff, parents and little ones, campaigners and ward councillor Jack Packman have undertaken the walk from Millmead Children’s Centre to the Margate Family Hub (former Six Bells Centre) in the High Street to demonstrate the difficulties families will face if service cuts at Millmead go ahead.
The rally today (August 27), which involved around 20 people carrying Save The Millmead Children’s Centre posters, was organised by Millmead mum-of-three Stacie Goddard along with centre manager Jan Collins.
Kent County Council wants to save £426,000 by not renewing contracts for commissioned services at Millmead centre and Seashells in Sheerness, when they end in March 2025.
Some £220,000 is spent on services at Millmead and this makes up around half of the centre’s annual funding.
If the proposals go ahead families will be expected to use Margate Family Hub (formerly Six Bells), Northdown Road Family Hub (formerly known as Quarterdeck) and Cliftonville Family Hub (formerly Children’s Centre) to access KCC funded services.
The Millmead centre has 27 staff and seven volunteers whose roles are likely to be under threat.
A consultation on the funding withdrawal runs until 22 September.
Today’s rally was to demonstrate the difficulties families will face if they have to travel to other centres.
Centre manager Jan Collins said: “The “Save Millmead” walk was arranged and led by the local community with the full support of Millmead employees and interested parties, including Thanet District Council.
“In the consultation document for closure of the Centre alternative services would be provided in other Kent County Council, (KCC), Family Hubs. Access to these would mean that families would have to walk as the bus service is poor and costly. Imagine this in the winter, poor weather, darkness morning and afternoon with babies and young children
“To understand the difficulties the local community proposed that these concerns should be tested, rather than assumed and the event was able to offer proof of distance and difficult terrain in relation to the destination. This was endorsed by our employees and by other participants, including Thanet District Council.”
Stacie, 29, said: “I did the walk with my three children, one in the pram and two in the trailer. Unfortunately my two oldest have ASD which is why they were in the trailer.
“The walk took us 45 minutes and was very hard, especially pushing the pram up the hill. I suffer from hip pains and have a bulging disc so walking long distance can be quite painful.
“However, we pushed through the pain and after 45 minutes we made it. We had loads of cars beeping us and had a few people stop and ask us what we was doing
“There were around 20 people and we held signs up saying ‘Save the Millmead Children’s Centre.’
“We wanted to raise awareness for how difficult the walk is to the (former) Six Bells centre from Millmead.
“A lot of families, like me, have young children and may not be able to afford public transport. It could mean the choice of a meal for your kids or a bus ride to the centre.”
Councillor Jack Packman also attended. He has also set out his concerns in letters to county councillor Sue Chandler, who is responsible for children’s services, and Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott.
In the letter to Cllr Chandler, he says: “The closure of Millmead Family Hub will force families to undertake a 90-minute round trip just to access basic services – an impractical and unjust burden, especially for those who are already struggling.
“This decision will leave a significant void in the community, one that cannot easily be filled. I urge you to reconsider this proposal and to recognise the profound impact the Millmead Family Hub has had on our community. Removing this service will not only harm those who rely on it but will also lead to broader social issues.”
Cllr Packman has also questioned why consultation drop in meetings on September 2 and 12th are taking place at the Margate hub in the High Street and not at the Millmead centre.
He says the location means it is being made difficult for those most affected by the proposals to attend.
In the letter to Matthew Scott, Cllr Packman highlights crime figures for the area and says a cut in support services will increase crime.
The Family Hub services on offer at Millmead under the commissioned contract which would no longer run at Millmead include Baby Massage • Breastfeeding Clinic • Breast Pump Hire • Cygnet • Healthy Baby Group • Introducing Solids, • Little Explorers • Little Talkers • Stay and Play • Triple P Parenting Course* • You and Your Baby • 1-2-1 Family Work.
Services not funded by KCC are Book Library, Cost of Living Advice, Citizens Advice Service, Food Bank/Community Pantry, Garden Club, Health Visiting (including Developmental Checks and Healthy Child clinics) Midwifery Clinics, Nursery, One You and Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Drop In.
Have your say
The consultation runs until 22 September
For full details of the proposal and to have your say visit: www.kent.gov.uk/familyhubsconsultation
For queries or requests for hard copies, email [email protected]
For alternative formats, email [email protected] or call 03000 421553 (text relay service number 18001 03000 421553).
The drop-in events are:
Monday 2 September, 10am to 1pm and Thursday 12 September, 10am to 1pm, Margate Family Hub (Six Bells) at the top of the High Street.
