New funding to expand support for hormone condition
Hope 4 The Community CIC has received three years of funding from The Waterloo Foundation to expand the digital Hope Programme for people living with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), the condition previously known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Working with community partners PCOS Relief and Cysters, alongside women’s health advocates and health professionals, the project aims to support up to 2,000 people across the UK over the next three years.
Flexible support without a long wait
The Hope Programme for PMOS (“Hope for PMOS”) is a free, evidence‑based online course designed to help people build confidence, self‑management skills and emotional wellbeing while living with a complex, long‑term condition. The programme will offer two ways to take part:
Group‑facilitated Hope for PMOS courses: 12 six‑week online courses where people move through the programme together, supported by trained facilitators and peers.
Self‑guided Hope for PMOS course: a flexible six-session version of the programme that is continuously available for people who prefer to work independently or cannot join at set times.
Both options are designed to fit around work, caring, study and other commitments, and can be accessed by adults from anywhere in the UK.
Why this support matters
PMOS is one of the most common hormonal conditions, affecting around one in eight women and people assigned female at birth. Alongside physical symptoms, many people experience anxiety, low mood, stigma, concerns about fertility, and difficulties in daily life. People often report delays in diagnosis, inconsistent information, and a lack of support that looks at them as a “whole person” rather than isolated symptoms. This can leave them trying to manage a lifelong condition with very little practical guidance.
Building on research and lived experience
The programme builds on earlier research led by Dr Carol Percy at Coventry University and delivered with Hope 4 The Community CIC and charity partners Verity UK. The formerly known Hope for PCOS programme was co-designed with people living with the condition, health professionals, researchers and voluntary sector organisations. Published studies found improvements in mental wellbeing, anxiety, depression, quality of life and people’s ability to manage their health after taking part in the course.
This new funding will allow us to:
Reach more people, including those from underserved communities.
Compare the group‑facilitated and self‑guided versions of the course.
Continue refining the content in line with emerging PMOS research and guidance.
Strengthen links with NHS services so that people are more routinely signposted to support.
Reaching communities that face greater barriers
Some communities – including people from ethnic minority and lower‑income backgrounds – face greater barriers to timely diagnosis, clear information and appropriate support. PCOS Relief and Cysters will ensure that we reach those that may not otherwise hear about Hope for PMOS programme. They will also help shape inclusive promotional materials, review the cultural relevance of the programme and share feedback from the communities they support. By working together, we aim to make it easier for people to access practical, trustworthy support at home, alongside clinical care.
“The Waterloo Foundation is proud to support this next phase of the Hope for PMOS Programme, which brings together research, clinical insight and community expertise to respond to a condition that is still too often overlooked, misunderstood and under-supported. This is exactly the kind of evidence-informed intervention that can make high-quality support more accessible to those who need it. We hope this funding will enable more women to access practical, compassionate and evidence-based support.” - Kelly Hubble, Fund Manager, Waterloo Foundation
“Too many people living with PMOS are expected to manage a complex, lifelong condition with very little practical support. This funding means we can offer people evidence-based help in a format that works for them, while continuing to adapt it with the communities the programme is designed to support.” -Gabriela Matouskova, CEO, Hope 4 The Community CIC
“Through this partnership, we hope to strengthen support for the communities we serve, reach people who may otherwise face barriers to engagement, and create meaningful, lasting change. By working together, we can share expertise, amplify community voices and help build more inclusive and equitable outcomes. We also aim to raise education and awareness about PMOS through this programme.” - Chand Kaur, Founder & Chief Executive of PCOS Relief
Next steps
The Hope 4 The Community CIC team is updating course content, the website and promotional materials to reflect the new PMOS terminology and partnerships. Activities are planned around PMOS Awareness Month in September to raise awareness of the name change, the support available through Hope for PMOS, and the experiences of people living with this condition.
The first new group‑facilitated course scheduled for 7th October 2026 is open for bookings on our website now. The continuously available self‑guided course will launch on the same date.
