A new centre offering a variety of services for children has been opened in Ham.

The facility has been brought to fruition by Richmond Council in a joint project with St Richards with St Andrews Primary and Meadlands School.

The centre, built next to St Richards with St Andrews Primary School, in Ashburnham Road, opened on Thursday, October 16, and services will start from early November.

It will be a hub for family activities and offer a range of services including family support, health services and support for children and parents with special needs.

Councillor Serge Lourie, leader of Richmond Council said: “Children’s centres are at the heart of our plans to transform services for children and families.

“The centres are also a key element of our commitment to eradicate child poverty and unlock the talents and abilities of every single child.”

Coun Lourie continued: “The intention for children’s centres is to bring together teams in order that families can benefit from a broad range of services under one roof. We are able to offer this by working closely with a variety of different organisations.”

This centre is part of the Government’s Sure Start initiative and strives to give families with children access to affordable, flexible and high quality childcare.

Coun Lourie added: “The new children’s centre at Ham is excellent and we would like to thank the staff from St Richards with St Andrews Primary and Meadlands Schools and our partners from the health and voluntary sectors who have worked with us to make it happen.”