A journey into our history

From Baschurch days, the hospital has relied on volunteers, both for providing patient and staff comforts, and for fund-raising.   The annual report for 1907 lists donations of fruit, vegetables, eggs and rabbits, along with clothes, linen, toys and books.  Later on, the extensive network of Voluntary After-Care Committees set up by Dame Agnes Hunt in the 1920s played an important part in raising funds for the hospital rebuilding programme. With the coming of the National Health Service in 1948, it was assumed that there would be no further need for voluntary assistance, as “the State would provide” for everything. This idealistic attitude did not however prevent the hospital Patients’ Comfort League and the Welfare Committee from continuing to raise funds and provide amenities for both patients and staff.