HIPS

Our Story

HIPS was formed in 1990 in response to the need for better support for families whose babies and children were diagnosed with congenital orthopaedic conditions. At the time, the lead surgeon at Medway Maritime Hospital was Mr John Beavis, who became the charity’s patron, alongside Mrs Avril Nuttall as Chairperson. With the dedication of outpatient lead nurse Nora Clark, and a small group of committed parents and professionals, HIPS was officially established and registered as a charity with the Charities Commission.

From the outset, HIPS focused on providing emotional and practical support to families whose children were undergoing treatment at Medway Hospital. Through fundraising activities, the group raised vital resources to support the orthopaedic paediatric centre of excellence led by Mr Beavis. This included funding a state-of-the-art computer system and ultrasound scanner, enabling earlier diagnosis and allowing less invasive treatment options for children.

Alongside medical support, HIPS created a strong parent support network, helping families connect with others in similar situations. This proved invaluable, leading to many long-lasting friendships. The group also organised social activities such as Christmas parties, clinic-based meet-ups, and community fundraising events including sponsored swims and baby clothes exchanges. These events gave families the opportunity to share experiences, build confidence, and feel less alone.

Five years later, following Mr Beavis’s retirement, the hospital was unable to appoint a suitable replacement to lead the specialist unit. As a result, the service was closed and children were referred outside the Medway area. This decision had a significant impact on HIPS, dispersing its community and forcing the charity into a period of dormancy.

In 2014, the Charities Commission contacted the trustees regarding the remaining funds. Rather than closing the charity, the trustees chose to explore ways to continue supporting families and children in the Medway area, staying true to the origins of the fundraising efforts.

One proposal highlighted a clear gap: children with complex needs often lacked access to social spaces, extracurricular activities, and play opportunities, particularly as many attend schools far from home. From this need, HIPS found new purpose.

HIPS Today

HIPS was re-launched in 2015 with five trustees and a growing committee. Based at Lordswood Sports and Social Club in Chatham, the charity began organising sports activities, day trips, and social events for children with complex needs and their families—creating a welcoming space to share experiences, ideas, and support.

As time passed, and particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, it became increasingly difficult to host in-person activities. Once again, HIPS adapted.

Today, HIPS focuses on raising funds to support local Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) services and projects across Medway. Through sporting events and community fundraisers, we continue to work hard to ensure local SEND services can provide the vital support families need.

Our mission remains unchanged: to help families feel supported, connected, and part of a caring local community. At HIPS, no one faces challenges alone.