Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

New facilities were opened this week.

The first of three centres dedicated to supporting families opened this week.

The new family resource centre in Trowbridge is part of a £1.9m project dedicated to providing support for some of Wiltshire’s most vulnerable families. A further two centres in Devizes and Salisbury are due to open in late June and late September respectively.

The revamped centre in Trowbridge offers a space for families, children and young people as well as support from officers within the children and families service.

It includes two independent family suites, which provide mother and baby support, intensive support for families and crisis intervention. The facility also provides training opportunities for young people, parents and carers and the kitchen will be used to help young people prepare to live on their own.

The centre has a personal care room, which includes laundry facilities, mother and baby changing unit and toilet facilities. There are also five contact rooms where families can receive support.

Speaking at the centre’s official opening on Tuesday, Wiltshire Council leader Jane Scott said: 'This project is an excellent example of where we have invested to transform an out-of-date facility into a new multi-use space for some of the most vulnerable members in our local community.

'At a time when many public sector organisations are making cuts, Wiltshire Council is in a unique position. We are investing to protect our most vulnerable and to improve our key front-line services. The move to becoming a unitary council has enabled us to do this. We can make significant savings and, as a result, invest resources and money where it is most needed.'