Hull Best Start Family Hubs have officially achieved Stage 2 accreditation from the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, marking an important milestone in the city’s work to support families and provide high-quality infant feeding and parent-infant relationship care.
The Baby Friendly Initiative, which began in 1994, is a global programme that transforms healthcare for babies, mothers and families, as part of a wider global partnership between UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Evidence-based standards are used to help services support parents with infant feeding and to develop close, loving relationships with their babies.
To achieve Stage 2 accreditation, Hull Best Start Family Hubs were able to demonstrate that all staff have been educated according to their role and that training has prepared staff to care for mothers and families effectively.
Hull Best Start Family Hubs were awarded a Certificate of Commitment from UNICEF in July 2025, which was the first step towards gaining recognition from the UK Committee for UNICEF’s Baby Friendly Initiative. In October, the Hubs achieved Stage 1 accreditation.
Helen Christmas, UNICEF Baby Friendly Guardian for Hull Best Start Family Hubs, said: “This is fantastic news for families in Hull. Achieving Stage 2 accreditation demonstrates that our Family Hubs staff have the knowledge and skills needed to support families in some of the most important early weeks of life.
“I want to thank every member of the team for their dedication, collaboration and enthusiasm throughout this process. This achievement is as much about our staff as it is about the families we serve, and it lays a strong foundation as we now prepare for Stage 3.”
Councillor Linda Tock, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services at Hull City Council, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Hull Best Start Family Hubs have achieved Stage 2 accreditation under the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative. This is a significant achievement and testament to the hard work and commitment shown by every member of staff involved in this process.
“This work plays an important role in delivering Hull’s Community Plan – helping to make Hull a child-friendly city and ensuring every child has the best start in life. By strengthening the support available to families in those crucial early weeks and months, we are building strong foundations for lifelong health, wellbeing and opportunity.
“We now look forward to progressing to Stage 3 accreditation and continuing to improve support for families across Hull.”
UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Deputy Programme Director Anne Woods, said: “We are delighted to see that the staff in the Family Hubs in Hull have achieved a high standard of knowledge and skills in relation to the Baby Friendly standards. We anticipate that this will lead to effective, considerate and timely support and information for local families.”
For more information about the services available at Hull Best Start Family Hubs, visit www.familyhubshull.org.uk.