In 1927, Derwen College began in “a couple of vacant huts” within the grounds of the orthopaedic hospital.
Here Dame Agnes founded the training college. Physically disabled young people could learn a trade, suitable to their disability, and become either “partially or wholly self-supporting”.
With skilled knowledge students, would be able to “contribute to the working world and take their place in society”.
“Our friend Robert Jones… kept asking me when I proposed to start a regular training centre to teach the badly-crippled adolescents to earn their living. He pointed out that we had proved over and over again that some of them could be made self-supporting”
The College started in “a couple of vacant huts in the grounds” of what is now the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopedic Hospital.
“The carpenters’ shop, which was originally a big army hut, was hurriedly transformed into a ward with twenty-four nondescript bed and lockers installed. The shop where the girls padded splints was next, but this was a much smaller room, and would only hold eight beds”.
‘The Derwen’
* Quotations taken from Agnes Hunt’s book ‘This is my life’.
Centenary
Derwen College celebrates its centenary in 2027, marking 100 years since its founding.
We will be running a series of events to commemorate this landmark anniversary. Further details will be available in the new year.