HOW THE MARILLAC BEGAN

The beginnings of The Marillac go back to the 1920s, when a ‘manse’ standing in 12 acres of woodland close to the barracks of the 3rd Battalion of the Essex Regiment, was bought by the Community of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.  This was used as a sanatorium for young women suffering from tuberculosis which was, at that time, widespread.  With the approval of the appropriate authorities, The Marillac Sanatorium was opened on 8th September 1921.  This was the first Marillac, the grounds of which are now occupied by Hartswood Hospital.

In 1956 the North East Metropolitan Hospital Board asked the Daughters of Charity to take young chronic sick patients.  Various plans were considered for a more solid building with modern amenities for this type of patient.

Eventually the present Marillac was bought when the Essex Regiment moved its headquarters to Chelmsford, leaving behind a suitable building (the Officers’ Mess) and gardens.  After adaptations had been completed, the disabled ladies moved in and made this their home in September 1963.

In 1994 The Marillac underwent a refurbishment programme to update the accommodation and services.  Today The Marillac is a Nursing Home for 50 men and women with physical disabilities who require twenty four hour care.

The community of Sisters live and work in The Marillac. For more information on the Sisters work click on the link www.daughtersofcharity.org.uk