Culture And Memory

Warneford 200: Mental health through the ages

We aim to preserve the Warneford Hospital’s unique cultural and physical heritage during its bicentenary in 2026, through a publicly-engaged programme exploring its historic role in mental health care. Warneford Hospital has been in continuous clinical use since 1826, but a change of use from hospital to university college is planned, when a new hospital will be provided on the site. Knowledge of the hospital’s original function is therefore at risk. Using the hospital’s extensive (yet under-explored) archives, we will bring to life the experiences of past generations of Warneford patients and staff. The Warneford’s bicentenary provides an opportunity to create a legacy for future generations and to provoke discussion about mental health – past, present and future – thereby helping to dispel the stigma that can surround mental illness. Outputs, co-produced with the local community and mental health service-users, will be disseminated in accessible formats, including a county-wide exhibition.