Ten years ago, a Leeds charity and a children’s physiotherapy team started doing something together on Saturday afternoons. Ask any of the families who’ve been part of it what it meant to them and you’ll get a different answer every time — but one thing comes up again and again: they don’t want it to end, and they want to come back.
Every few months, at Armley Sports Centre, families arrive with children who have cerebral palsy, acquired brain injuries, muscular dystrophy, spinal conditions, and a whole range of complex physical needs. Parents and carers get into the pool alongside their children. Specialist physiotherapists get to work. And across seven weeks, the water becomes a place where things happen that sometimes don’t happen anywhere else.
This September marks ten years since Leeds charity Little Hiccups first partnered with children’s physiotherapy practice PT Kids to launch what has become one of the most loved programmes in their community. Across nine active years of delivery (allowing for a pause during the Covid year), the sessions have supported around 324 families across 27 blocks of treatment, creating moments that families will never forget.
They need your help to make sure it continues.
Why It Works
Hydrotherapy — physiotherapy delivered in water — gives children with complex physical needs something land-based therapy simply cannot. Muscles relax. Movement becomes possible that gravity makes hard on dry land. Strength builds in ways that feel natural, and often joyful.
What makes this programme different is the model. Parents and carers don’t watch from the side — they get in with their children. Working alongside the physiotherapists, they learn how to handle, support, and move with their child in the water. That hands-on involvement means every session is as much about building the family’s skill and confidence as it is about the child’s physical progress. With 12 families accessing each seven-week block, the physiotherapists can give every child the individual attention they need — at just £35 for all seven sessions, made possible only through charitable funding.
Tilly’s Story
When Tilly was three, her family heard about the Little Hiccups hydrotherapy sessions. Tilly has Rett Syndrome — a rare genetic condition meaning she will need 24-hour care for life. She cannot talk or use her hands, but she was learning to stand and weight-bear, and physiotherapy was essential to her progress.
NHS waiting lists meant access was limited. Little Hiccups offered her a funded place.
Week by week, she grew stronger, more confident, and visibly happier in the water. Swimming became something she shared with her big sister Thea. Through her eye gaze device, Tilly now regularly asks to go to the pool.
Then came the moment her family had barely dared to hope for. Tilly took her first steps with a walker.
“We’re so grateful. This has been key to her happiness and well-being. If she’s happy, she can face anything.”
— Tilly’s family
Jack’s Story
Jack was born with complex medical needs. Tasks most of us take for granted require real effort — but he faces every one of them with a smile.
Inspired by a Little Hiccups fundraising challenge, Jack set himself a goal: to lift his own head 22 times. For Jack, this is no small thing. It takes genuine strength and determination. He spread the challenge across two hydrotherapy sessions, never gave up, and didn’t just meet the £20.22 fundraising target — he raised £748.75.
Jack is, in every sense, a superstar.
Cai’s Story
Cai lives with spinal muscular atrophy and scoliosis. He is currently waiting for spinal surgery, with the vital goal of maintaining spinal flexibility to postpone surgery as long as possible. Doing so gives him the best chance of having a single set of fixed rods fitted rather than facing repeated procedures, whilst keeping him eligible for a crucial clinical trial.
Hydrotherapy has been nothing short of life-changing for Cai. In the warm water, he has not only maintained his spinal rotation and flexibility, but improved it — allowing him to roll over again, a milestone he was beginning to lose on land. It has eased painful knee contractures, strengthened his arms so he can self-propel his manual wheelchair further, and allowed him to engage muscle groups in his legs that his land physiotherapist didn’t think possible.
To Cai, it isn’t medical treatment — it’s pure joy. He goes to bed on Friday nights excited for Saturday morning hydro, thriving on the feeling of a proper physical workout he can share and talk about with his peers.
“I honestly believe this block of hydro has bought us at least 6 more months of holding off the operation at a minimum… I cannot put into words the positive impact this has had on Cai both physically and mentally. He can feel the difference in his strength and is so proud of himself.”
— Hannah, Cai’s mum
Audrey’s Story
For children with complex healthcare needs, finding accessible, safe activities can feel almost impossible. Audrey had been unable to access school swimming for two years due to having a tracheostomy, leaving her with few options for hydro-based therapy.
With the specialist hoist facilities, warm water, and experienced physiotherapists at Little Hiccups sessions, Audrey was finally able to get back in the pool. Audrey’s arms and legs can get very stiff, but the gentle movement in the quiet water works wonders for her joints and circulation.
Just as importantly, it gives Audrey and her mum precious, dedicated time together in an environment where they feel completely supported. Audrey works hard during every single session, but she does it with a huge smile on her face.
“Audrey’s legs and arms are very stiff; the warm water and gentle exercise in a quiet pool with physio help is amazing… It’s great that these sessions are suitable for complex needs. Audrey enjoys going and finds them fun even though she works hard!”
— Louise, Audrey’s mum
A Programme That Needs Your Support
The programme has run for ten years through grants, donations, and the dedication of everyone involved. But demand is growing, the waiting list continues to build, and additional funding is vital to keep it going into the future.
If you can help — whether as an individual donor, a local business, or a grant-making organisation — Little Hiccups would love to hear from you.
- Donate: https://www.littlehiccups.co.uk/donate
- Contact: info@littlehiccups.co.uk | 07831 230741
- Join the waiting list: https://www.littlehiccups.co.uk/hydrotherapy
Notes:
- PT Kids is a specialist children’s physiotherapy and occupational therapy practice operating across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire. https://www.ptkids.co.uk
- Little Hiccups is a registered charity (number 1170147) based in Leeds. https://www.littlehiccups.co.uk
