Oldham’s first of six planned government funded family hubs similar to the previously closed down sure start centres has opened in St Mary’s. “The Beever Family Hub in Saint Mary’s brings maternity, health visitors, speech and language support, early learning opportunities, community support groups, and activities under one roof. There is also support for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) up to age 25.” Closing sure start centres was a much derided government policy which had no real support across all the political divide. It’s of no surprise that Arooj Shah’s St Mary’s ward was chosen to be first to see any benefit of this government initiative yet again? Isn’t it amazing that in the four years representing South Chadderton she did absolutely nothing for the ward as her own Council profile showed yet she has an announcement about more spending and services in St Mary’s every few days the same St Mary’s where only 2 in every 5 working aged adults have a job.
