History

Marillac Neurological Care Centre takes its name and values from Saint Louise de Marillac - the Patron Saint of Social Workers.

Louise co-founded the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul with her lifelong friend and collaborator - St Vincent de Paul. Together, they helped to nurse the sick, elderly and children in a time of great poverty and illness. They also provide food and medicine to prisons and braved the battelfields to nurse the wounded soldiers. Louise promoted free education for girls, the rehabilitation of psychiatric patients and the distribution of means of livelihood, to war refugees. Louise and Vincent's work helped to reshape the health and childcare structure of the 17^th century.

Two of our units are named after Louise and Vincent, the third unit is St Catherine's named after St Catherine Labouré; best known as the messenger of the Miraculous Medal.

In 1920 the Daughters of Charity bought Warley House, opening the 'Marillac Sanatorium' as a specialist Tuberculosis hospital in 1921. By 1957 there was a need for a facility to care for the needs of the young & chronically sick. In response, the daughters moved 200 yards down the road to the building we are in now - the former East Essex Regiment's Officer's Mess.

'The Marillac', opened on September 8^th, 1963. The building has changed and developed during its years of service in order to respond to changing needs in healthcare, without losing our founding spirit. Our service has continued to develop to encompass the care and rehabilitation of residents with complex neurological conditions.

St Louise de Marillac

St Vincent de Paul

St Catherine Labouré