1993-1998
INS founded in 1993 by physiotherapist Ellie Kinnear, to fill a gap in support for people with neurological conditions. First group funded by grant from Sainsbury’s Good Neighbour Scheme.
Volunteer social worker Joan Flint joins and stays with INS for 11 years. INS awarded contract by GP surgery to work with their neurological patients.
Charity is named Holistic Neurological Services. Liz Grove joins as a volunteer occupational therapist. INS finds a permanent home at Kew Baptist Church and stayed for 14 years.
HNS was renamed INS and work began on establishing an independent charity.
1999-2003
In March 1999 INS became a registered charity. Two part-time paid support workers were recruited to expand support for carers.
Richmond Parish Lands Charity and Hampton Fund started their generous support. First paid therapists – physiotherapist and occupational therapist joined the team.
INS volunteers win Richmond Best Practice award for volunteers. INS user group established to ensure people’s needs are addressed. INS begins regular teaching programme with St George’s medical students.
Befriending service and Friends of INS launched.
2004-2008
Service user numbers grow to 85.
Referrals restricted to London boroughs of Hounslow and Richmond, due to increased demand for services.
INS appoints first Chief Executive in 2007.
Ellie Kinnear retires from role of co-ordinator and joins the Board of Trustees.
2009-2013
In 2009, INS move to current premises at 82 Hampton Road, Twickenham. Service user numbers grow to 200. Service delivery begins in Hounslow.
In 2010, INS officially opens Twickenham premises. New logo and branding adopted.
Accessible therapy garden created in 2011.
First Clinical manager, and first Speech and Language Therapist appointed.
Expanding Horizons programme launched offering a range of non-clinical activities over the summer.
Care Navigation and Carers Outreach service launched in Hounslow in 2013.
2015
HRH Princess Alexandra visits INS in 2015. INS opens a fully accessible gym. Care Navigation and Carers Outreach expands in Hounslow.
INS is a lead charity delivering Richmond Community Independent Living Service. INS wins two business awards, London Borough of Hounslow ‘Commitment to the Community’ and London Borough of Richmond ‘Best Charity’.
2019
One of key delivery partners supporting carers within the Richmond Carers Hub. Expanding Horizons programme extended to provide activities all year round.
Individual counselling service developed and now offered to all clients and carers. Service user numbers grow to over 400
INS celebrates its 25th anniversary with an event at York House in October 2019.
2020
In March 2020, INS closed its offices due to the start of the Covid pandemic with all staff working from home. No staff were furloughed.
In April 2020, INS introduced online group sessions for exercise, cognitive issues, creative activities and social and emotional support. These grew to over 20 sessions a week, supporting around 200 service users.
Service users also received phone sessions for counselling and befriending.
Emergency Covid grants helped provide essential resources such as laptops for online services.
2021
In 2021, INS started increasing face-to-face sessions for individual therapy and groups. Developing a hybrid delivery programme, INS continued to offer both in person and virtual services based on individual needs.
INS begins delivering a weekly neuro exercise group and other services at Barnes Green Centre, co-locating with Age UK Richmond and FISH. This is part of a longer-term strategy to develop INS satellite centres.
INS pilots supervised drop-in Open Gym sessions to support service users of all abilities to exercise more regularly.
2022 - 2023
In 2022, INS is funded to start a Hounslow satellite, delivering services one day a week at the Age UK Southville Community Centre, Feltham.
In 2023, INS continues working at Southville Community Centre and develops another satellite in Brentford.
INS experiences a big growth in new referrals, particularly for those with Stroke.
Service user numbers grow to over 660 people.
INS celebrates its 30th anniversary in October 2023.
