New funding to expand Hope Programme for people living with hip or knee pain
Hope For The Community CIC (H4C) has secured funding from Innovate UK using the Contracts for Innovation mechanism to expand holistic self-management for anyone living with osteoarthritis and chronic pain in the hip or knee.
HOPE-MOVE (Help Overcome Problems Effectively – MOVement and hEalthy lifestyle) is one of only ten projects funded through Innovate UK’s “Scaling community initiatives in diet and exercise” competition. It will support 2,000 people living with osteoarthritis and chronic pain in the hip or knee who are on NHS waiting lists for assessment, treatment, or joint replacement surgery.
The new Hope Programme will help people stay active, eat well, manage pain and mental health, and remain socially connected while they wait for care. Delivery will begin in the South West of England and expand into the Midlands.
Building on H4C’s earlier HoPES project, HOPE-MOVE widens access beyond surgical waitlists, scaling support to thousands of people. Co-designed with users, it introduces new content on exercise and diet, and uses artificial intelligence to personalise support, improve outcomes, and strengthen adoption across the NHS.
The 12-month project brings together partners including NHS England South West, Cardiff University, Coventry University, Magic Square Systems Ltd, and Make An Impact CIC — extending proven collaborations and driving new innovation.
Gabriela Matouskova, CEO of H4C, said:
“At a time of lengthening waitlists, the need for evidence-based self-management support like our Hope Programmes is rising. This funding, awarded exclusively to social enterprises, enables us to innovate and support more people, creating benefits for both communities and the health system.”
Paul Spencer, Primary and Community Development Lead, NHS England – South West said:
“HOPE-MOVE will provide a massive opportunity to provide holistic, effective and evidence backed supported self-management at scale across the South West to people waiting for MSK treatment. We are thrilled to work in partnership with Hope For The Community CIC on this vital expansion of their award winning programme”
Nathan Brasington, Primary and Community Development Lead for MSK, NHS England – South West added:
“We’re delighted to continue our partnership and further expand the Hope Programme across community services in the South West—bringing meaningful benefits to patients throughout the region.”
Gina Sargeant, Deputy Clinical Quality and Improvement Director & Chief Allied Health Professional (South West Region), said:
“By working with the Hope Programme Allied Health Professionals of the South West have discovered a great way to both maximise patient outcomes, and work alongside self-management digital offers in key places in patient pathways, we look forward to seeing HOPE spread across the populations of the SW”
The project will be evaluated to measure impact on wellbeing, patient activation and include an independent social value report, with findings informing wider NHS adoption and commissioning.
