Best Start Family Hub in East Finchley

Dear Councillor Barry Rawlings,

We, the undersigned, encourage Barnet Council to give full consideration to East Finchley as a potential location for a forthcoming Best Start Family Hub, funded by the national government in October 2025.

Best Start Family Hubs build on the legacy of Sure Start – offering a one stop shop for parents seeking convenient, accessible support. Since 2010, communities across the country have suffered from under investment with the most vulnerable bearing the brunt. We know that these centres were vital in giving every child the best opportunity in life, breaking the link between a child’s background and what they go on to achieve.

East Finchley has a high level of families experiencing deprivation. In particular, areas around the Grange estate and the Strawberry Vale estate show elevated levels of economic hardship, with a significant proportion of children living in households below the median income and a higher reliance on support services. These indicators suggest that local families would strongly benefit from the early years, family support, and integrated services that a Best Start Family Hub is designed to deliver.

The area is also already well-connected by bus routes and tube links, facilitating access for families from across Barnet. This combination of high need, existing community networks, and strong transport links positions East Finchley as a good choice for investment.

We, the undersigned, hope the Council will give this recommendation careful consideration as part of its wider commitment to supporting children and families across Barnet.

Yours sincerely,

Sarah Sackman MP

Councillor Alison Moore

Ajith Das Menon (Council Candidate)

Katy Minshall (Council Candidate)