Wellbeing of Women
Our History
In 1964, Professor Will Nixon, an obstetrician, set up the 'Childbirth Research Centre', after witnessing the grief of a young man whose wife had died during childbirth.
Professor Nixon was director of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at University College Hospital, London for over twenty years.
Leading members of the medical profession including Lord Brain, Sir John Peel, Professor Dugald Baird and Sir George Pinker founded CRC as a registered charity in October 1964. They were all very disturbed by the lack of scientific and medical research into the causes and prevention of abnormalities in pregnancy, childbirth and infancy.
1972, the name was changed to “Birthright” – The National Fund for Childbirth Research” in order to reflect the national activities of the charity both in terms of fundraising and research.
In April 1975 Birthright agreed to work with The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) to improve women’s health.
Birthright was then working in partnership with the RCOG as the fundraising and research organisation to promote research in obstetrics and gynaecology and related subjects, and particularly research into the prevention of birth defects.
Over the next twenty years, Birthright grew rapidly to fund work into all areas of Obstetrics and Gynaecology including infertility, problems in pregnancy and quality of life issues.
In the late eighties and early nineties, the charity was honoured to have the support of Diana, Princess of Wales, as a very active and committed Patron.
And in keeping with it’s original mission to respond to important health challenges faced by women, the charity was renamed ‘Wellbeing.’
The charity, now ‘Wellbeing of Women’, is in its 44th year, and has invested millions to fund the very best medical research and training. Every woman living in the UK will have benefited from five decades of the charity’s achievements in women’s healthcare.
Wellbeing of Women is also the administrator of The National Birthday Trust Fund. The fund was established in 1928 out of concern for the high incidence of maternal mortality. The Fund continues to contribute to the development of medical careers in Obstetrics and Gynaecology through its grants and bursaries. Together we have over 80 years of experience in improving women’s health.
In 2007, the Prime Minister’s wife, Sarah Brown became our Patron. Her dedication to our charity has helped raise our profile as our work continues to improve the lives of millions of women affected by reproductive health problems in the UK.
There are many ways you can donate to Wellbeing of Women. Your donation will help us continue to fund research into all aspects of reproductive health.
Need to contact Wellbeing of Women?
wellbeingofwomen@rcog.org.uk
Tel: 020 7772 6400
Fax: 020 7724 7725