Rainbow Best Start Family Hub
Elliott Terrace, Washington, Tyne and Wear, NE37 3AE
0191 561 3995
Rainbow is our Best Start Family Hub in Washington, based at Elliott Terrace. It’s a welcoming, easy-to-reach place where families can get support, connect with local services, and join in free fun, friendly activities from pregnancy right through to age 19 (or up to 25 for young people with SEND).
There’s always lots happening this easter. Check our latest timetable for the latest activities, events, courses and support services.
Easy to find and fully accessible
Located in the heart of Washington, the hub is close to local bus routes and has onsite and nearby free parking. Inside, you’ll find accessible entrances, spacious rooms, accessible toilets, baby-change facilities and a warm, inclusive atmosphere for all families.
Free activities, guidance, practical support and health advice
At Rainbow Best Start Family Hub, we’re here to support you through pregnancy, birth, and your child’s early years. Our Healthy Babies programme offers free guidance throughout pregnancy and during your baby’s first two years, providing reassurance and confidence when you need it most.
Families can take part in a wide range of free sessions and support. These include play sessions and dedicated sensory room time, as well as hub‑led interactive activities that focus on development and bonding through play, music, stories, messy play and sensory experiences. We offer supportive breastfeeding and infant‑feeding classes, alongside a variety of baby activities, drop‑ins, courses, groups and SEND‑friendly sessions. You can also relax and connect with others in our community café, run by our hub volunteers.
In addition to family activities, Rainbow provides practical life advice such as welfare rights support, employment and job‑seeking guidance, stop‑smoking support, and health information for both adults and children, delivered in partnership with the NHS. You can also register a birth at the hub, attend antenatal classes with midwives, and access a wide range of other services. Our hub is a genuinely welcoming space where everyone belongs.
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Want to see what it looks like? Take a look at our video and hear from families who love the Rainbow Hub!
Explore our offer
Thursday
Childminder NetworkAre you a registered childminder and would like to attend the childminder network with your childminded children? Please contact the… more about 'Childminder Network'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AETerm Time Only Thursday 09:30 am to 11:30 am FreeSave Childminder Network to favouritesPlay Space and Sensory RoomFree parent led session, where parents are encouraged to play and interact with your child/ren in a friendly environment. more about 'Play Space and Sensory Room'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEMonday and Thursday 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm FreeSave Play Space and Sensory Room to favouritesPlay Space and Sensory Room (Easter only)Free parent led session, where parents are encouraged to play and interact with your child/ren in a friendly environment. more about 'Play Space and Sensory Room (Easter only)'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AE9th April Thursday 9:00 am to 11:30 am FreeSave Play Space and Sensory Room (Easter only) to favouritesStay and Play (Sulgrave flats)Come along, stay and play to find out what our family hubs offer in your community! Each week we will… more about 'Stay and Play (Sulgrave flats)'Marlborough Park Games and Leisure, 66A Collingwood Court, Washington, NE37 3EDThursday 09:15 am to 10:15 am FreeSave Stay and Play (Sulgrave flats) to favouritesThe Bread and Butter ThingThe Bread and Butter Thing offers weekly groceries at a fraction of high street prices at our Washington Hub (Rainbow… more about 'The Bread and Butter Thing'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEThursday 2:00 pmBetween £5 and £17, depending on size of order.Save The Bread and Butter Thing to favouritesFriday
Closed Good Friday and Easter MondaySunderland Best Start Family Hubs are closed Good Friday 3rd April and Easter Monday 5th April. more about 'Closed Good Friday and Easter Monday'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEClosed Good Friday 3rd April and Easter Monday 5th AprilSave Closed Good Friday and Easter Monday to favouritesEaster Mindfulness and crafts (Easter only) Mindful crafts for children aged 5+ that promote calm, creativity and focus through relaxing activities. more about 'Easter Mindfulness and crafts (Easter only)'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEFriday 10:00 am to 11:15 amFreeSave Easter Mindfulness and crafts (Easter only) to favouritesSaturday
Stay and Play North East Young Dads & LadsStay and play is available once a month 14th March, 11th April and 9th May. Delivered by North East Young… more about 'Stay and Play North East Young Dads & Lads'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AESaturday 10:30 am to 12:00 noonFreeSave Stay and Play North East Young Dads & Lads to favouritesSunday
We currently have no activities or events taking place on a Sunday. Please change the filter above or view everything.
Monday
Closed Good Friday and Easter MondaySunderland Best Start Family Hubs are closed Good Friday 3rd April and Easter Monday 5th April. more about 'Closed Good Friday and Easter Monday'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEClosed Good Friday 3rd April and Easter Monday 5th AprilSave Closed Good Friday and Easter Monday to favouritesPlay Space and Sensory RoomFree parent led session, where parents are encouraged to play and interact with your child/ren in a friendly environment. more about 'Play Space and Sensory Room'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEMonday and Tuesday 09:00 am to 11:30 am FreeSave Play Space and Sensory Room to favouritesPlay Space and Sensory RoomFree parent led session, where parents are encouraged to play and interact with your child/ren in a friendly environment. more about 'Play Space and Sensory Room'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEMonday and Thursday 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm FreeSave Play Space and Sensory Room to favouritesTuesday
Antenatal Parent ProgrammeOur 5 week antenatal course is run by experienced health visitors, midwives and infant feeding experts and can be booked… more about 'Antenatal Parent Programme'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AETuesday 3:45 pm to 5:45 pm FreeSave Antenatal Parent Programme to favouritesPlay Space and Sensory RoomFree parent led session, where parents are encouraged to play and interact with your child/ren in a friendly environment. more about 'Play Space and Sensory Room'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEMonday and Tuesday 09:00 am to 11:30 am FreeSave Play Space and Sensory Room to favouritesPlay Space and Sensory Room (Easter only)Free parent led session, where parents are encouraged to play and interact with your child/ren in a friendly environment. more about 'Play Space and Sensory Room (Easter only)'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AE14th April Tuesday 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm FreeSave Play Space and Sensory Room (Easter only) to favouritesWednesday
Coffee Morning with Easter photo shoot backdrop (Easter only)Come along to our play space and use our Easter photo shoot back drop to take photos of your child… more about 'Coffee Morning with Easter photo shoot backdrop (Easter only)'Multiple locationsWednesdayFreeSave Coffee Morning with Easter photo shoot backdrop (Easter only) to favouritesCome and join our FREE Creative Family Workshops!Come and discover your creativity in this series of relaxed and fun sessions, as we explore Urban Art styles like… more about 'Come and join our FREE Creative Family Workshops!'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEWednesday 22 April – Wednesday 20 May 4pm – 5.30pmFreeSave Come and join our FREE Creative Family Workshops! to favouritesDad Only Drop in North East Young Dads and LadsDelivered by North East Young Dads & Lads support workers, young dads only drop in, soft drinks and snacks and… more about 'Dad Only Drop in North East Young Dads and Lads'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEWednesday 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm FreeSave Dad Only Drop in North East Young Dads and Lads to favouritesReview and Development Clinic (appointment only)Review and development clinics within Sunderland. All are appointment only clinic which are bookable via a HV or our Duty… more about 'Review and Development Clinic (appointment only)'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEWednesday 10:00 am to 11:30 amFreeSave Review and Development Clinic (appointment only) to favourites