Stewarts are proud to be part of the legal panel for PEEPS, the only UK charity dedicated to supporting those affected with Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE).
In January, our Clinical Negligence team held a ‘lunch and learn’ session hosted by Penny Harger, relationship officer from PEEPS, who visited our London office to provide further insight into the charity and the support they can provide.
Who are PEEPS?
PEEPS was founded in 2018 by Sarah and Steve Land. Their daughter, Heidi, was born in 2015. Shortly after her birth Heidi sustained an HIE event, needed resuscitation, and was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit. Sarah and Steve realised that there was a lack of information available on HIE and began researching and networking with other parents. They realised that there was a need for more support for families affected by HIE, and they began the journey to set up PEEPS. The charity was launched in 2018.
Services offered by PEEPS
Parent packs
Sarah and Steve struggled with the lack of information at the beginning of their journey and, to help other parents going through the same thing, they have introduced free parent packs in neonatal units across the UK. The packs contain information as well as practical items and are designed to offer reassurance parents they are not alone on their journey, pointing them in the direction of help that is available.
Equipment fund
Peeps offer a fund (which is needs- not means-tested) and allows families to purchase one piece of equipment worth £500, every 12 months.
Counselling/trauma therapy
PEEPS offers fully funded counselling by a trained counsellor, either online or face to face. They aim to arrange this within days and the number of sessions is decided on a needs basis as guided by the counsellor.
Peer support
PEEPS arranges online 1:1 support with volunteers who are parents or grandparents, all of whom have experience of HIE. Volunteers are matched with families looking for support, providing an opportunity for them to speak to someone who has been through a similar experience and who can offer advice, guidance and support.
Other support available
In addition to the above, PEEPS offers in person events at fully accessible venues across the UK as well as subsidised short breaks which are fully inclusive and accessible for all needs. Activities include zipwire, archery, canoeing and accessible games. These short breaks can be attended by the whole family at an affordable price. Social media and WhatsApp support groups are also available for sharing information and support.
The future
PEEPS aims to expand their resources and reach more families affected by HIE. In particular, they aim to have their parent packs available in all hospitals across the UK and to grow relationships with the wider healthcare community.
Our support
Stewarts are proudly part of the legal panel for PEEPS and will continue to support the charity in their journey to increase awareness and understanding of HIE, and to use our expertise to advise families who have been affected.
HIE Awareness Day is on 4 April each year, and throughout April our Head of Clinical Negligence Anita Jewitt will be hosting free legal clinics for PEEPS families. Appointments can be booked by email.
On 30 March, partner Katherine Fitter will be running the Kew Gardens Half Marathon in aid of PEEPS – you can make donations here.
Katherine commented: “We are very grateful to Penny for coming in to speak to us in our lunch and learn session. It was fantastic to hear about the support that PEEPS provide to families affected by HIE, and we are now even more inspired to do what we can to help.”
Paralegal Francesca Smart contributed to this article.
You can find further information regarding our expertise, experience and team on our Clinical Negligence page.
If you require assistance from our team, please contact us.
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