Local History

Together We Cared is the product of a year long inter-generational heritage project in which 20 local young people were trained in the skills of film making, research and interviewing.

The Royal in 1910

Working alongside All Saints Action Network Limited and Media Core Productions, the young people put their new found skills to good use.

They've created a 30 minute documentary about The Royal Hospital, Wolverhampton and an accompanying exhibition. 

The film is the oral history of the hospital and the exhibition reflects the timeline of key historical facts.

The Prince of Wales 1923

Recalling the past

The group interviewed past employees, finding out about their memories and experiences at the hospital, so that future generations would get a glimpse into what it was like in the past, and why the hospital was so important for Wolverhampton.

Past employees were more than happy to share their stories, photographs and artifacts.

People like Sir Stephen Moss who recalled the first time he walked into the hospital through it's magnificent columns and thinking it was somewhere very special.

The MacLaren Ward

Most people recounted The Royal as being like a big family. Peter Cuthbert said: "Matron was the boss - the hospital secretary was like the dad and everyone came together - surgeons, doctors, nurses, cleaners and catering staff."

There was a strong bond between staff and they all pulled together and worked together.

100 years before the NHS

The Royal Hospital was opened on 1st January 1849 after four years in the planning and building. It was funded for nearly 100 years before the NHS came along.

Dr E H Coleman at a bedside

It was visited by HRH Prince of Wales in 1923 and King Georgein 1928 - who approved it's name as The Royal and gave permission for it to have its own crest.

Despite it's necessity when built, and it's fascinating history, times move on, and the hospital was finally closed down in 1997.

A video legacy

Take a look at the history of The Royal Hospital, seen through the eyes of former employees, in the 5 minute demo below.

Behind the scenes

There is also an additional video 'Behind the Scenes', showing how the young people went about making the documentary. Take a look below.

Young people receive their certificates

The final take

The screening of the full documentary took place on Friday 9th January '09.

Satnam Rana from BBC Midlands Today was at the screening, giving out certificates to the young people involved in the Together We Cared Project.

For more details of the project call Dawinder Bansal - Together We Cared Project Manager on 01902 556680.