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? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!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 MORE
Shaping a sustainable future: Health care and the climate crisis
Join Royal College of Nursing's panel on 28th August to discover measures to tackle climate change and explore planetary health.
READ MORE
The air we breathe: Air pollution and health past and present
Join the Royal College of Nursing on 23rd October, in person or online, for this talk exploring historical and current action to address air pollution effects on health.
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
Snapshots: Gallery Short Talks
Join us on Thursdays at The Palace of Holyroodhouse for a short talk on one of the fascinating photographs in our exhibition Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography!
READ MORE
Information Lecture: Help and Healing on the Spiritual Path through the teaching of Bruno Groening
A lecture about spiritual healing and help through the teaching of Bruno Groening is taking place at The Open Door Community Centre, Edinburgh on various dates throughout the year.
READ MORE
Ice Cream Breakfast Mornings
Fancy a wee treat? Join Ms Crème De La Cream's breakfast ice cream taster sessions at Stockbridge market.
READ MORE
The History & Endurance of Witchcraft with Dr Julia Phillips
Join Dr Phillips in this enchanting talk at the Assembly Roxy on 9th July to examine beliefs about witchcraft from the witch trials of medieval Europe to its modern expression in the 21st century!
READ MORE
Glengoyne, Tamdhu and Rosebank with Ian Macleod
Join Alan Wardrop as he presents the new spirit from Tamdhu, Glengoyne and Rosebank alongside 3 well-aged and rather fancy expressions at Drinkmonger on Wednesday 9th July!
READ MORE
Forefowk, Mind Me
Join us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Thursday 10th July for the premiere of a short film made as part of the Forefowk, Mind Me project by Scots singer Quinie!
READ MORE
Scottish Colour Floristry
Join Florist Lottie Longman to discover how colour and the landscape of East Lothian inform her work.
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links