Grant awarded for new sensory play park for mothers and babies at Hellesdon Hospital
Mothers and babies being supported at a Norfolk hospital are set to benefit from a new playpark funded by Norfolk County Council and the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
Following a delegated cabinet decision, Norfolk County Council has agreed to use £30,000 of the Government's Best Start in Life Family Hub's funding to support the development of the new sensory playpark at the Kingfisher Mother and Baby Unit at Hellesdon Hospital.
It will provide a new welcoming playpark for mothers, their babies and families, with sensory facilities to help them spend time with their children whilst aiming to promote recovery and improve attachment.
Its location, within the grounds of Hellesdon Hospital, will help link families with further support and resources at the nearby Family Hub, based at Hellesdon Community Centre, which is a 10‑minute walk from the hospital.
The play area will cost approximately £60,000 with Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust contributing the remainder of the funding required to complete this project. The grant will be monitored by the Best Start Family Hub programme team.
Penny Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Children's Services at Norfolk County Council said: "This project demonstrates our commitment to supporting vulnerable children and families at the earliest opportunity. The sensory playpark will provide a safe, supportive space for families during a challenging time, helping to strengthen relationships and support recovery.
"It aligns with our Best Start Family Hubs programme, which is all about ensuring families get help as early as possible. This is an approach and response to children and families, that supports our shared ambition for Norfolk's children to be able to flourish."
Construction work on the new play area will begin later this year and the area will be open before the end of 2026.
Cath Byford, Chief Patient Experience Officer and Deputy Chief Executive of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, which operates Hellesdon Hospital said: "We are delighted to receive this investment for the Kingfisher Mother and Baby Unit. Creating a dedicated sensory playpark will provide a calm, supportive space for mothers, their babies and their family network, at a time when they need it most.
"This funding from the Best Start programme will make a meaningful difference to the experience of mothers in our care, and we're grateful to Norfolk County Council's Family Hubs team for their partnership in bringing this project to life."
Alice Macdonald, Member of Parliament for Norwich North said: "The development of this play area is a vital investment to support families receiving specialist support. I'm delighted that this project will help make a real difference to families in our community who are facing significant health challenges."
Our Family Hubs approach ensures families can get the help they need as early as possible, by joining up the services that support children and their families. There is also a key focus on perinatal mental health and parent-infant relationships.
For more information, support and resources, please visit: www.norfolk.gov.uk/familyhubs
