The History of the Warneford film
The History of the Warneford tells the story of the founding of the Warneford Hospital – who it was for, who paid for it and how it developed over two hundred years.
Specially commissioned as part of the Warneford 200 project, the film traces the growth of the Warneford, from a refuge for a relatively small number of patients, to becoming the focus of a network of services and a major research centre.
The film shows many of the hospital’s historic architectural features and beautiful grounds, including Warneford Meadow and trees planted in the 1820s. It features service-users, clinicians and historians who discuss a wide range of issues, from the ongoing importance of activities and being in nature to our mental wellbeing, to the expansion of care in the community and changes in mental health legislation.
Included in the film are also excerpts from a play titled Within These Walls (by Janet Bolam) which, based on case studies from the archives, highlights points being made about treatments and attitudes towards mental illness.
The film concludes with an insight into what the future holds for the Warneford, as it outlines plans for a new hospital to be built in the grounds and the repurposing of the original building into a post graduate college.
The History of the Warneford was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It was produced by Stuart Hobbs of Gold Filling Ltd, assisted by Sally Frampton and Jane Freebody.
Within These Walls, excerpts of which appear in the film, was produced by Human Story Theatre.
Watch the film
