Stories from Hospitals Back Home during the First World War
Join the Royal College of Nursing for an evening exploring how in the First World War, volunteers provided nurses with vital support as they cared for sick and wounded soldiers in hospitals back home.
About Stories from Hospitals Back Home during the First World War
Join us in person to enjoy free refreshments and a chance to look around the ‘Shining a Light: A History of Nursing Support Workers’ exhibition alongside drop-in activities and talks from 6pm-7.30pm. Join online from 6-7.30pm.
In the First World War, volunteers provided trained nurses with vital support as they cared for sick and wounded soldiers. Known as Voluntary Aid Detachments (VADs), they trained for just 6 weeks in first aid, home nursing and hygiene as well as cooking. VADs faced real risks, working close to the battlefields as well as in hospitals back home. They took on a wide range of duties including nursing, administrative tasks, cooking and ambulance driving. Join event chair Professor of Nursing Nicola Ring and our speakers for a fascinating evening of talks exploring the experience of women who ‘stayed behind’ providing care at military hospitals back home.
Speakers include:
Exploring the unique magazine created by Agatha Christie which gives a vivid insight into the resilience and camaraderie of volunteers at a time of national emergency in their roles as Voluntary Aid Detachments (VADs), hear from Ewan O’Neill, Archivist at The British Psychoanalytical Society Archive. Never previously displayed, until this RCN exhibition in London and now in Edinburgh, and on view during the event, the handmade magazine created by a young Agatha Christie when she was a volunteer providing nursing support in the First World War, is on loan from the British Psychoanalytical Society Archive.
With images and stories from the archives about caring for sick and wounded soldiers in hospitals back home including in the rehabilitation of soldiers at Craiglockhart War Hospital in Edinburgh, hear from Dr Alison O’Donnell, on nursing support work during the First World War. Previously an elected member of the Royal College of Nursing History of Nursing Steering Committee, including interim Chair, Alison has helped curate and design exhibitions related to the history collections of the forums within the Royal College of Nursing. Alison volunteers with the RCN Archives, and the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland awarded Alison a Fellowship in recognition of her work in nursing history.
Event chair, Nicola Ring is a Professor of Nursing in the School of Health and Social Care at Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland, and a Committee member of the RCN History of Nursing Forum. Nicola has extensive experience of teaching and researching all aspects of nursing history. Most recently she has led the hugely popular RCN Foundation funded research investigating Scotland’s early nurses and midwives accused of witchcraft (1563-1736) and worked with the RCN and National Library of Scotland to deliver a nursing and midwifery ancestry public event.
Drop in activities at the event include:
- Show and Tell showcasing showcasing Craiglockhart War Hospital in Edinburgh with pop up display and items from the Heritage Collection at Edinburgh Napier University.
- Add your reflections on nursing support work to our creative question panel.
This event is open to all.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Sponsored Links
Other Events at Royal College of Nursing
You Mean the World Exhibition
This exhibition explores the history of air pollution and of recycling and re-use in nursing and shows how talented nursing teams are taking climate action today.
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Guided Looking: An Artwork Audio Described
Join Fiona Johnston, audio describer, as she describes various artwork and objects from the Royal Collection at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
READ MORE
Palace Page Turners
Many authors have been inspired to pick up their pen to write about the Palace of Holyroodhouse. These sessions will explore these literary works followed by a hearty discussion!
READ MORE
Find Out Fridays
Explore a different theme each week on Friday afternoons, during school term-time, with our Learning team at the National Museum of Scotland.
READ MORE
Coffee & French Conversation
Want to practice your French in an informal setting? Join us at the Institut français d’Écosse for a relaxed morning chat – over a cup of coffee or tea and a croissant or pain au chocolat!
READ MORE
Beneath the Surface: King’s Gallery Short Talks
Join our team at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for weekly gallery talks as part of the exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance!
READ MORE
Weekly Tours at St Cecilia’s Hall
Join our team of volunteers at St Cecilia's Hall for a FREE weekly tour of the collection!
READ MORE
Afternoon Tea with Chiya & Chai - The History of Afternoon Tea
Enjoy a storytelling talk delivered during our traditional Afternoon Tea service in partnership with Chiya and Chai, on Sunday 23rd November at Marine North Berwick!
READ MORE
Am I really home? A Journey Through the Literary Voices of Italian Scottish Women
Through storytelling poetry and prose, four widely published Italian Scottish women writers will describe their diverse journeys of navigating, rooting and belonging.
READ MORE
Am I really home? A Journey Through the Literary Voices of Italian Scottish Women
Through storytelling, poetry and prose, four widely published Italian Scottish women writers will describe their diverse journeys of navigating, rooting and belonging.
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links