Our History
Papworth Trust is a young 90 year old
Started in war-torn England in 1917 as a tuberculosis settlement, Papworth Trust has built on 90 years of work with disabled people. The modern organisation it is now reflects on its past and looks ahead to its future.
Our History
The Trust owes its beginnings to Dr (later Sir) Pendrill Varrier-Jones, a social pioneer who founded the Cambridgeshire Tuberculosis Colony.
The Colony was later to become the Papworth village settlement and the forerunner of the Papworth Trust. Varrier-Jones' vision was to create not just a hospital or rehabilitation centre for TB patients, but a whole community.
The Colony began at Bourn in Cambridgeshire in 1917. However Varrier-Jones soon collected enough funding (£6,000) to purchase Papworth Hall, and the Colony moved to the village of Papworth Everard the following year. With the hall went most of the land in the parish and, under Varrier-Jones' capable management, the Papworth Colony rapidly expanded.
Although there were still many deaths from TB, the aim was to rehabilitate sufferers by providing treatment for them (surgery and 'fresh air') and offering them appropriate work and housing.
Providing Opportunities for Work
When the hall became too small, a new hospital was built, along with new homes for the TB patients and their families. In the 1930s, factory buildings were also constructed, to enable patients who were well enough to work. The Papworth Industries became a great financial success, expanding over many years under the trademark of 'Pendragon' Industries and included the manufacture of travel goods, carpentry, cabinet making, leather work and printing. Coach building was set up in 1947 making, amongst other vehicles, the Green Goddess fire trucks and working for such customers as BT, Royal Mail, Parcelforce, St John Ambulance and the NHS Ambulance trusts.
Expanding services to disabled people
The Papworth Village Settlement continued to accommodate TB patients until 1957, some patients still live in the village. When the principle of supporting people into independent living was gradually extended to people with a wide range of disabilities.
At that time, the Settlement's guiding principle was the integration of people with different disabilities into the village community.
The first disabled clients arrived in 1957, and the numbers of people in the village increased over the subsequent years. Many disabled people came to Papworth Everad for training, with some subsequently remaining in the village, and others returning home to work elsewhere. The hospital itself passed to the newly formed National Health Service in 1954.
The Papworth Trust was created in 1963 in Papworth Everard, Cambridgeshire.
Royal Patronage
Royal patronage played a significant part in the life of Papworth and royal visits were commonplace during the 1920's and 30's. This association continues today, and the Papworth Trust is honoured to have HRH Duchess of Gloucester as its Patron.
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Contact
Head Office
Papworth Trust
Bernard Sunley Centre
Papworth Everard
Cambridge
CB23 3RG
If you have an enquiry please call our Freephone number on 0800 952 5000.
Lines are open between 9:00am and 4:00pm, Monday to Friday
Alternatively, you can call our Reception desk on 01480 357200
Opening Hours
Mon to Fri 9:00am to 5:30pm
If you prefer, you can email us.
More information about getting in touch and access to Map pdf
