Together for Children celebrates 10 years of Baby Week with citywide programme across Sunderland's Family Hubs

Together for Children is proud to support Baby Week 2025, celebrating its 10th anniversary with a week-long programme of free events and activities across Sunderland's Family Hubs from Friday 14 to Thursday 20 November.

This year's theme, "Healthy Parent, Healthy Baby," highlights the vital connection between caregiver wellbeing and child development, reinforcing the importance of supporting families from pregnancy through the early years.

In Sunderland, Baby Week 2025 will focus on increasing awareness of and access to supportive services for parents, parents-to-be, and wider family members. It will also promote local strategies for early intervention, celebrate best practice, and encourage engagement with services such as antenatal education, early start centres, and fostering and adoption support.

Across Sunderland's Family Hubs, families can enjoy a packed schedule of activities including sensory play, messy play, rhyme sessions, buggy walks, breastfeeding support, postnatal yoga, and more. Events will be held at hubs including Thorney Close, Rainbow, Coalfield, Bunny Hill, and Winnibell, with a mix of bookable and drop-in sessions to suit all needs.

Baby Week activities kick off on Saturday 15 November, 11am -1pm at Winnibell Family Hub, for Baby Week Bonanza. Families can enjoy free activities including a baby clothes and toy swap shop, sensory play, 'Time for Rhyme', and a festive Christmas photoshoot for under-twos. No booking needed.

A further public Baby Week Celebration event is on Monday 17 November, 10am-2pm, at Hope Vineyard, Hendon, with activities including children's crafts, messy play, and 'Time for Rhyme'. Guests are welcome to pop along on the day.

All activities are free to attend and designed to be inclusive of families with children under five, including those with SEND.

Councillor Michael Butler, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Child Poverty and Skills said:

Baby Week is a celebration of the incredible work being done to support families across Sunderland. By focusing on the health and wellbeing of both parents and babies, we're helping to build stronger communities and brighter futures. I encourage families to take part in the week's events and discover the support available to them.

Natalie Effard, Family Hubs Lead at Together for Children, said:

The first 1001 days - from conception to age two - are such an important time in a baby's life. Baby Week is all about celebrating these precious days, weeks and months, and sharing simple but impactful ways families can give their little ones the best start in life.

"During the week there are lots of free activities at our Family Hubs and ideas you can try at home too. We can't wait to welcome families across Sunderland to Baby Week 2025! Our programme is fun, friendly and full of support to help parents and carers feel confident and connected."

Baby Week is a registered charity and national initiative that brings together health, education, and community partners to promote the best start in life for every child. Inspired by UNICEF's Semana do Bebê in Brazil and first launched in Leeds in 2016, Baby Week has grown into a UK-wide movement, engaging thousands of families, carers, and professionals through workshops, celebrations, and awareness campaigns.

Sadiya Salim, Operational Director of Baby Week said:

What began as a handful of events with Child Friendly Leeds has now blossomed into over 1,000 activities across the UK. It's no longer just a campaign - it's a collective commitment. Every year, families, professionals, and communities come together to reaffirm that the early years are a national priority. I'm proud to lead this initiative and see how far we've come."

Lucy Potter, Founding Director of Baby Week said:

The theme 'Healthy Parent, Healthy Baby' recognises the inseparable nature of child and caregiver health. By supporting parents, we simultaneously support babies and build resilience into our future generations."

For more information about Baby Week activities in Sunderland, visit Sunderland - Baby Week