Rainbow Best Start Family Hub

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Elliott Terrace, Washington, Tyne and Wear, NE37 3AE

Family.HubWashington@togetherforchildren.org.uk

0191 561 3995

Family Hub Registration Form

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, check our latest timetable for the latest activities, events, courses and support services. 

Rainbow May Half Term Timetable

Rainbow June & July Timetable

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.

Find out more about Rainbow Best Start Family Hub

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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

Monday

Breast Feeding 2 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Breastfeeding SupportBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tags more about 'Breastfeeding Support'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEMonday 1:00 pm to 3:00 pmFreeSave Breastfeeding Support (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Busy Bodies 1 Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Busy BodiesBest Start Family Hubs tagsSuitable for Children tagsA music and movement session to work on physical skills, experience free movement to support growth and development. more about 'Busy Bodies'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEMonday 1:30 pm to 2:30 pmFreeSave Busy Bodies (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Closed Bank Hol Aspect Ratio 1600 900Closed Monday 25th MayFamily Friendly tagsAll family hubs will be closed on the 25th May for Bank Holiday Monday.  more about 'Closed Monday 25th May'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEClosed 25th MaySave Closed Monday 25th May (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Family Voice To Use Aspect Ratio 1600 900Family VoiceBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsHelp design, shape and evaluate family services based on your experiences of raising children in Sunderland. Attend a monthly meeting… more about 'Family Voice'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AE22nd June – 10 am – 11.30 amFreeSave Family Voice (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Move To Rhyme7 Rotated Aspect Ratio 1600 900Move to RhymeBest Start Family Hubs tagsSuitable for Children tagsMove to rhyme (crawling to pre walkers) is an interactive session for mobile babies and their parents / carers. Sessions… more about 'Move to Rhyme'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEMonday starts 8th June 10:30 am to 11:15 amFreeSave Move to Rhyme (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Play Space Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Play Space and Sensory RoomBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsFree 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, Tuesday and Friday 09:00 am to 11:30 am FreeSave Play Space and Sensory Room (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Play Space Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Play Space and Sensory RoomBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsFree 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 3AEDaily 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm FreeSave Play Space and Sensory Room (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Stop Smoking Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900Stop Smoking SupportBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsAre you worried about how smoking is affecting your health and your families? Are you thinking of stopping smoking? Join… more about 'Stop Smoking Support'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEMonday to Friday FreeSave Stop Smoking Support (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Time For Rhyme 4 Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Time for RhymeBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tags0 to pre crawling Time for Rhyme is an interactive session for babies and their parents / carers. Sessions are… more about 'Time for Rhyme'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEMonday 09:30 am to 10:15 am FreeSave Time for Rhyme (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites

Tuesday

Antenatal Course Aspect Ratio 1600 900Antenatal Parent ProgrammeBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsOur 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 (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Baby Massage Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Baby MassageBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsBookable course for 5 weeks. Baby Massage Course, suitable for babies from 6 weeks, baby massage is when a parent… more about 'Baby Massage'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AE23rd June Tuesday 1:30 pm to 2:30 pmFreeSave Baby Massage (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Family Fun 1 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Half Term Family FunBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsJoin us for some half term activities suitable for children aged 0 – 8 years.  more about 'Half Term Family Fun'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AE26th May Tuesday 10:00 am to 11:30 am FreeSave Half Term Family Fun (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Play Space Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Play Space and Sensory RoomBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsFree 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, Tuesday and Friday 09:00 am to 11:30 am FreeSave Play Space and Sensory Room (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Play Space Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Play Space and Sensory RoomBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsFree 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 3AEDaily 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm FreeSave Play Space and Sensory Room (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Wellbeing Session Aspect Ratio 1600 900Pregnancy Wellbeing SessionBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tags1 Hour wellbeing session, for pregnant mams.   A gentle nurturing space designed to support mams through movement, breath and relaxation. … more about 'Pregnancy Wellbeing Session'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AE26th May 10:00 am to 11:00 amFreeSave Pregnancy Wellbeing Session (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Community Cafe 1 1 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Rainbow Community CaféBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsRainbow Family Hub is running a community café, join our volunteers for a cup of tea, coffee or toast. Contributions… more about 'Rainbow Community Café'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AETerm Time Tuesday 09:30 am to 11:30 am FreeSave Rainbow Community Café (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Stay And Play 1 Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Stay and PlayBest Start Family Hubs tagsSuitable for Children tagsCome along and have fun with your child whilst socialising with parents. Each week we will have a focus for… more about 'Stay and Play'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AETuesday 09:30 am to 10:30 am FreeSave Stay and Play (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Stop Smoking Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900Stop Smoking SupportBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsAre you worried about how smoking is affecting your health and your families? Are you thinking of stopping smoking? Join… more about 'Stop Smoking Support'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEMonday to Friday FreeSave Stop Smoking Support (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Supercommunicator 1 Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Super communicatorsBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsSuper Communicator Stay & Play – This is a dedicated group to help develop speech and language skills from age… more about 'Super communicators'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AETerm Time Only Tuesday 1:15 pm to 2:00 pmFreeSave Super communicators (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites

Wednesday

Baby Messy Sensory 1 Rotated Aspect Ratio 1600 900Baby Sensory MessyBest Start Family Hubs tagsSuitable for Children tagsThis group is aimed at parents of children 0 to pre walking, the session encourages babies to interact with others… more about 'Baby Sensory Messy'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEWednesday 1:45 pm to 2:30 pm FreeSave Baby Sensory Messy (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Birth Registration Aspect Ratio 1600 900Birth RegistrationBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsPlease book via Sunderland City Council website. Register a birth, a new born baby must be registered within 42 days… more about 'Birth Registration'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEWednesday 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm FreeSave Birth Registration (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Coffee Morning 1 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Coffee Morning (Half term only)Best Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsCome along to our coffee morning.  more about 'Coffee Morning (Half term only)'Multiple locationsWednesdayFreeSave Coffee Morning (Half term only) (Multiple locations) to favourites
Young Dads And Lads Aspect Ratio 1600 900Dad Only Drop in North East Young Dads and LadsBest Start Family Hubs tagsSuitable for Children tagsDelivered 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 (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
First Chapters Aspect Ratio 1600 900First ChaptersFamily Friendly tagsFirst Chapters Course – book your space for the whole course.  Starting 3rd June @ Rainbow (in the café) runs… more about 'First Chapters'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEStarting 3rd June 10:00 am – 11:30 am  runs every week until 22nd July except 15th July.FreeSave First Chapters (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Gro Brain Aspect Ratio 1600 900GroBrainBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsGroBrain 4 week baby course The GroBrain Baby Course is for parents of babies pre-birth to 12 months It focusses… more about 'GroBrain'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEWednesday 12:45 pm to 2:45 pmFreeSave GroBrain (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Play Space Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Play Space and Sensory RoomBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsFree 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 3AEDaily 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm FreeSave Play Space and Sensory Room (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Play Space Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Play Space and Sensory RoomBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsFree 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 3AEStarts 27th May Wednesday 9:00 am to 11:30 am FreeSave Play Space and Sensory Room (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Review And Development 1 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Review and Development Clinic (appointment only)Best Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsReview 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) (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
SEND 1 Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900SEND Play SpaceBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsFree parent led session for children with special educational needs and disabilities, where parents are encouraged to play and interact… more about 'SEND Play Space'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEWednesday 10:00 am to 11:30 am FreeSave SEND Play Space (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Sensory Room 1 Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Sensory Room Drop InBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsCome along and enjoy our free sensory room to help engage and develop your child’s senses.  more about 'Sensory Room Drop In'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEWednesday 09:00 am to 11:30 amFreeSave Sensory Room Drop In (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Sing And Splash Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900Sing and SplashBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsFun, interactive session with songs in the water. Helps build strong bodies and brains. 4 – 18 months £2 per… more about 'Sing and Splash'Washington Leisure Centre, New Town, Washington, NE38 7SSWednesdays term time 12:00 am to 12:40 am£2Save Sing and Splash (Washington Leisure Centre) to favourites
Stop Smoking Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900Stop Smoking SupportBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsAre you worried about how smoking is affecting your health and your families? Are you thinking of stopping smoking? Join… more about 'Stop Smoking Support'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEMonday to Friday FreeSave Stop Smoking Support (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Welfare Rights 1 Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Welfare RightsBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsReferral only speak to the family hub or Sunderland City Council Welfare Rights Service – Welfare right service offers and gives… more about 'Welfare Rights'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEWednesday 09:30 am to 11:30 am FreeSave Welfare Rights (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites

Thursday

Makaton Aspect Ratio 1600 900Baby MakatonBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsBaby Makaton from 6 months old, to support babies communication, speech and language development.  Bookable session contact Rainbow Family Hub. more about 'Baby Makaton'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEThursday 09:30 am to 10:30 am FreeSave Baby Makaton (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Buggy Walk Lfl Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900Buggy WalkBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsEnjoy a relaxed buggy walk, get your steps in, and take time to chat and connect with other parents and… more about 'Buggy Walk'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AETerm Time Only Thursday 1:00 pm to 2:00 pmFreeSave Buggy Walk (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Growing Healthy 2 Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Growing HealthyBest Start Family Hubs tagsSuitable for Children tagsSuitable for babies under 2 years old. Do you have a baby and would like to meet others with children of… more about 'Growing Healthy'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEThursday 10:00 am to 11:30 am FreeSave Growing Healthy (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Move To Rhyme7 Rotated Aspect Ratio 1600 900Move to Rhyme (half term only)Best Start Family Hubs tagsSuitable for Children tagsMove to rhyme (crawling to pre walkers) is an interactive session for mobile babies and their parents / carers. Sessions… more about 'Move to Rhyme (half term only)'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AE28th May Thursday 1:45 pm to 2:30 pmFreeSave Move to Rhyme (half term only) (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Play Space Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Play Space and Sensory RoomBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsFree 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 3AEDaily 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm FreeSave Play Space and Sensory Room (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Stay And Play 1 Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Stay and Play (Sulgrave flats)Best Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsCome 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) (Marlborough Park Games and Leisure) to favourites
Stop Smoking Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900Stop Smoking SupportBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsAre you worried about how smoking is affecting your health and your families? Are you thinking of stopping smoking? Join… more about 'Stop Smoking Support'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEMonday to Friday FreeSave Stop Smoking Support (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Story Time Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Story TimeBest Start Family Hubs tagsSuitable for Children tagsStory Time is an interactive story session where children aged 1- 5 years and their parents can explore imaginative tales… more about 'Story Time'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEStarts 4th June Thursday 1:30 pm to 2:15 pmFreeSave Story Time (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Bread And Butter Fruit And Veg Close Up Aspect Ratio 1600 900The Bread and Butter ThingSupported shopping tagsAll Welcome tagsThe 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 (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites

Friday

Baby Stay And Play Aspect Ratio 1600 900Baby Stay and PlayBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsBaby stay and play is a group aimed at parents of children 0 – pre walking, stay and play encourages babies… more about 'Baby Stay and Play'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEStarts 29th May Friday 1:30 pm to 2:30 pmFreeSave Baby Stay and Play (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Weaning Aspect Ratio 1600 900Introducing Solid FoodBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsAre you ready to start your baby on solid foods but unsure where to begin? Join us at one of… more about 'Introducing Solid Food'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AE5th June 1:00 pm to 2:00 pmFreeSave Introducing Solid Food (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Play Space Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Play Space and Sensory RoomBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsFree 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, Tuesday and Friday 09:00 am to 11:30 am FreeSave Play Space and Sensory Room (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Play Space Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900 Aspect Ratio 1600 900Play Space and Sensory RoomBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsFree 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 3AEDaily 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm FreeSave Play Space and Sensory Room (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites
Stop Smoking Scaled Aspect Ratio 1600 900Stop Smoking SupportBest Start Family Hubs tagsFamily Friendly tagsAre you worried about how smoking is affecting your health and your families? Are you thinking of stopping smoking? Join… more about 'Stop Smoking Support'Rainbow Family Hub, Washington, NE37 3AEMonday to Friday FreeSave Stop Smoking Support (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites

Saturday

Young Dads And Lads Aspect Ratio 1600 900Stay and Play North East Young Dads & LadsBest Start Family Hubs tagsSuitable for Children tagsStay 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 (Rainbow Family Hub) to favourites

Sunday

We currently have no activities or events taking place on a Sunday. Please change the filter above or view everything.

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