Earlier today, our chaplain, Sister Bernie, spotted this poster featuring the Mildmay line on the Victoria Line platform at Highbury and Islington station.
For those who don't know, the Mildmay Line is one of six London Overground routes named by Transport for London (TfL) in 2024 to make the network easier to navigate. But this line is more than just a series of stops, it symbolises a journey through history, community, and care.
Stretching from Richmond in the southwest to Stratford in the east, the Mildmay line covers the most stops of any Overground route, connecting key areas like Clapham Junction, Camden, Hackney, and Stratford. What makes it even more special is that it's named after our very own Mildmay Hospital, which has a rich history dating back to the mid-19th century.
Mildmay’s story began in the 1860s when 'deaconesses' from St Jude and St paul’s Church in Mildmay Grove travelled into East London’s worst slums to care for people affected by a devastating cholera outbreak. This mission of care grew into what became the first Mildmay Medical Mission in 1877, established in a disused warehouse near the notorious Old Nichol slum in Shoreditch. In 1892, the first Mildmay Mission Hospital opened nearby, and subsequently evolved into a lifeline for Londoners, especially during the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s.
Despite its modest size, Mildmay had a profound impact during the darkest days of the AIDS pandemic. It became Europe’s first hospice dedicated to caring for people with HIV/AIDS in 1988, a place where Princess Diana herself visited numerous times, both officially and unofficially, to sit with patients, offering comfort and support. Her words from that time still resonate: "Mildmay is a place of comfort that cares not only for physical needs but also for emotional and spiritual relief."
Today, Mildmay continues its legacy of care by providing specialist services for people with severe and complex HIV-related health conditions - including HIV-associated brain impairment, people who are homeless and require medical care and rehabilitation, and those recovering from substance misuse in need of stabilisation and a fresh start.
Our longstanding commitment to this vital work, along with our support for London’s LGBTQIA+ communities, is why TfL honoured us by naming the Overground route after our hospital. We were also chosen to represent the NHS, as all our services are provided to it under contract.
Geoff Coleman, CEO of Mildmay, puts it beautifully: "The Mildmay line symbolises a journey of acceptance, love, and belonging – a vibrant thread connecting our collective past, present, and future."
But we hope the connection between the Mildmay line and our hospital isn't just symbolic. Highbury & Islington station alone sees nearly 60,000 passengers starting or ending their journey there every day, with millions passing through every year, making it one of London's busiest stations. The visibility this gives to our name is remarkable, and our hope is that it encourages more people to learn about the vital work we do - and to support us.
Please support our Winter 2024 Fundraising Appeal
This winter, as we continue to provide life-changing care to those most in need, we ask you to consider donating to our Winter Appeal. Your support will help us continue this long journey of care, compassion, and hope. Every contribution makes a difference.
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