steps is committed to improving the lives of people with lower limb disorders. Some of the most commonly asked questions when researching what treatment options are available or what a condition means is "Why has this happened?, - What or who is the best?, - What is new? and - Where can I go?"

Answers to these questions can only be generated by research and education programmes. That is why over the years we have been committed to supporting education and research. Please click on the links at the side to find out what we have done and what we are currently involved in.

Sue Banton, Director of steps, has been involved with research for over 10 years. She is currently a member of Involve, which is an organisation that promotes the public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research and a member of the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit committee.

She says,

"Research can seem remote to most people, but through my involvement with steps and looking for treatments for my own son, I have come to realise that good quality relevant research underpins all the things I want for healthcare for myself and my family. It is also important to ensure there are good education programmes so we can put into practice all the things that we have learnt through research"

The steps research and education fund is called the Jane Bettridge Fellowship. The fund was established in 2002 in memory of steps Trustee Jane Bettridge. Jane's involvement with steps as a trustee was very important to her; all the more so because of being a parent of a child with Talipes. The Fund supports research and education in orthopaedics and related disciplines.

For more information go to Jane Bettridge Fellowship.