Born on 6 May 1870 at Lewes, she was educated at Wilton House School, Reading. She joined the West London Mission as one of the 'Sisters of the People' and founded the first 'Guild of the (Brave) Poor Things', to serve the needs of the physically disabled. In December 1895 she moved to J. Scott Lidgett's Bermondsey Settlement and began to develop her involvement in chidren's play as a transforming influence among individuals and in society. In 1898 she married a fellow worker at the Settlement, the child psychologist and educationalist Charles W. Kimmins (1856-1948), who had taught science at The Leys School. Together, with the encouragement and support of Lidgett, they founded and developed the Chailey Heritage Craft School and Hospital in East Sussex, where crippled children received treatment and training. During two World Wars their work was extended to wounded soldiers and sailors. Her work was acknowledged by the award of a CBE in 1927 and a DBE in 1950. She died at Haywards Heath on 3 March 1954.