Aberdeen is preparing for a “surge in demand in relation to mental wellbeing” as the city emerges from its second lockdown.
The council’s strategic commissioning committee this week agreed a contract with Children 1st to help develop three Family Wellbeing Hubs in the city.
The three-year contract follows a tendering process to deliver “whole family support within Family Wellbeing Hubs” and includes a direct award for two years.
Councillor Jenny Laing, co-leader of Aberdeen City Council said: “Learning from other countries and cities emerging from lockdown has recognised the significant impact of lockdown on mental wellbeing for children and families. For families who had pre-existing vulnerabilities the impact is more likely to be keenly felt.
“It is therefore critical that as Aberdeen emerges from lockdown, we are prepared and ready for a surge in demand in relation to mental wellbeing.”
At the start of lockdown, the council established three “wellbeing hubs” to provide flexible and agile support to children and families where there were elevated levels of concern.
The hubs were located in each of the City’s three priority areas – Northfield, Tillydrone and Torry.
Development of the new Family Wellbeing Hubs will build on the success of the Wellbeing Hubs developed in response to the COVID pandemic.
The council says they will have a “key role supporting improvement in the mental health and wellbeing of our children, young people and their families.”
Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership and NHS Grampian have committed to working together to provide the hubs on a joint commissioning basis.
