Koala Family Hub: Where peer support meets practical help
Being a parent isn’t always easy – and sometimes, a little extra help or a friendly ear can make all the difference. That’s where Koala North West Family Hub comes in.
Based in Birkenhead, Koala North West is a charity that offers peer support, they help families and children feel supported, confident and connected. Their support is rooted in something simple, yet powerful: real-life experience. Every volunteer at Koala has experience of being a parent, meaning they truly understand the ups and downs that come with raising children.
What is a Family Hub?
Family Hubs are welcoming spaces where families can access support, information and services all under one roof. They’re designed to make life easier for parents, carers and children by joining up a wide network of professionals from different organisations in a place that feels friendly and familiar.
Koala is part of the Wirral Council’s Family Hub network, meaning they work closely with other Family Hubs, health, council, and community teams to make sure families get the right support, at the right time.
What is peer support?
At Koala North West, peer support is at the heart of everything they do. Their volunteers have experience of being a parent, meaning that they can offer real and practical support because they’ve been there too.
All volunteers go through dedicated training programmes to equip them with the tools, knowledge and confidence to support other families. Once trained, they’re carefully matched with families who might benefit from a bit of support, be it emotional, practical or just a listening ear.
Koala’s peer support focuses on three key areas:
- Emotional support: being there to listen, without judgement. Families are in control of how, when and where they receive support.
- Practical support: from helping with the weekly shop to attending appointments or just being a supportive presence. Sometimes it's the little things that matter most.
- Signposting: helping families find their way to other services that might also be able to help, whether that’s for housing, health, education or specialist advice.
And it’s not just volunteers offering support, Koala also has specialist staff, including experts in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), to ensure families get the right help when they need it.
What support does Koala provide?
Koala isn’t only for families in crisis. You might be feeling isolated and just want some company, or perhaps you’re navigating the early days of parenthood and need reassurance. Whether you come to them or they come to you, the support is shaped around your needs.
Here’s the top three reasons families come to Koala North West:
- Sleep issues with children
- Managing children’s behaviour
- Reducing parental stress and anxiety
Whatever the concern, families can expect personalised support from people who’ve been there too.
Koala also runs a timetable of sessions that offer support, here are just a few services that they provide:
- Breastfeeding support: trained peer supporters provide non-judgemental advice and encouragement for breastfeeding parents. There are regular sessions that offer help and support with a friendly community of breastfeeding parents.
- Sleep support: many parents struggle with sleep routines, night waking or getting little ones settled. Koala offers practical advice and strategies to help families improve their children’s sleep, and their own!
- Parent advocacy: Koala’s Parent Advocates work with families who are part of the child protection process to ensure their voices are heard when it comes to decisions about their children. Advocates can accompany parents to meetings or help them understand what’s being discussed, acting as a trusted ally throughout.
Visit the Hub, or let Koala come to you!
Families can access support at the Koala Family Hub or arrange for volunteers to visit them at home. Everything is flexible and built around what works best for you.
Koala North West Family Hub, Woodchurch Lane, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH42 9PH
0151 608 8288
koalanw.co.uk
admin@koalanw.co.uk
Take a look inside
Want to see what Koala North West is really like? Take a look at the video below:
