A family support hub is essential for the Outer West area of Derry, Maeve McLaughlin, chairperson of the Stormont Health Committee, has said.
The Foyle Sinn Fein MLA was speaking after what she described as a “positive” meeting with Pat Armstrong of the Western Trust regarding provision of such a hub in the Outer West covering the district from Rosemount to Ballymagroarty.
Ms McLaughlin said family support hubs provided early intervention family support services to vulnerable families, children and young persons up to 18 years of age and while most areas in Derry and Strabane were catered for, the one gap she believed existed was in the Outer West.
She added: “I believe that given the high number of children and young people who live in this area that a stand-alone family support hub in Outer West is essential.
“Sinn Féin has been working with the community organisations in the area for a long time in their campaign on this issue.
“Following a positive meeting today involving myself, Councillor Eric McGinley and Pat Armstrong from the Western Trust we are encouraged that there is progress being made in regard to this matter.”
Ms McLaughlin concluded: “We hope that an Outer West Family Support Hub will be in place in the near future.”
Tags: