comfort - Free embroidery workshops

Are you interested in joining in a FREE embroidery workshop? Open to all women, including trans and non-binary people, this fun and relaxing workshop will see you create an embroidery of a breast. If you choose, your work can be included in a large, collaborative quilt.

Absolutely no experience is needed, and all materials will be provided. There will also be light refreshments. There will be opportunities to discuss subjects like breast health, harassment, breast feeding, transition, diversity and positive body image. See more information about Lois Blackburn and their work here: https://loisblackburnartist.uk/current-work/

There are two sessions planned. The first at The Infirmary Museum on Monday 15 May. The second at George Marshall Medical Museum on Tuesday 16 May. Find event details on Eventbrite:- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/beauty-and-the-breast-session-two-tickets-629069693387

This is part of a bigger project, supported by Arts Council England. Lois is working with approximately 140 women of many different ages and backgrounds from across the UK. The final artworks will be carefully stitched together by Lois, and exhibited at: The Festival of Quilts at the NEC, Glasgow Women’s Library, Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health, Blythe House Hospice in Derbyshire, Worcestershire Medical Museums and on-line.

GUEST BLOG BY DR FRANK CROMPTON

In my investigation of Mental Health in Worcestershire 1780 to 1980,  the only humanitarian action by Officialdom came, following the County Asylums’ Act in 1845 (8 & 9 Vict, 126), when the Worcestershire County Authorities were forced to open a Pauper Lunatic Asylum. Prior to the opening of Powick Asylum, the Worcester City and County Parishes had sent their pauper patients to 3 Private Madhouses; fortunately, all of which were of good quality. This was in stark contrast to much of the rest of England and Wales, where all too often, the madhouses used were scandalously poor. The Private Asylum at Droitwich, founded in about 1780, by William Ricketts, was regarded as one of the best such establishments in England. William Ricketts himself, gave evidence to a Parliamentary Commission, in 1816, when he had roundly criticised most Private Madhouses in England, including the New Bethlehem Asylum, Bedlam. He particularly criticised the treatment of James Norris, who had been strapped to a vertical iron bar in the wall of his cell for over 15 years. William Ricketts stated that he would never have treated a patient in this way. His evidence, in part, eventually led to the passing of the 1845 County Asylums’ Act, and to the creation of the City and County of Worcester Pauper Lunatic Asylum, at Powick, that opened on 11th August 1852. This is the starting point for the Special Event we are holding on 17th July 2023. Please come along to this Event and learn more.

Dr. Frank Crompton.    

25th April 2023.

Book your ticket here:- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/evening-of-talks-redressing-the-balance-powick-mental-hospital-1852-1978-tickets-618942512717

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

George Marshall Medical Museum is looking for help from people who are have a keen ear, are interested in healthcare, can type, and can do all of this from home!

After collecting some oral histories recorded with healthcare staff about their experiences of the covid-19 pandemic, we’re now ready to transcribe and summarise them.

This is where you might come in!

Let us know if you’d like to get involved. Email gmmedicalmuseum@gmail.com